Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 7th December 2022) below:
NHS
Torbay Hospital's £15.7 million state-of-the-art Acute Medical Unit (AMU) was officially opened last week.
Having worked with the team at Torbay Hospital to secure the necessary funding, efforts which were boosted by the Herald Express’s “Now Is The Time” campaign, it is great to see the building ready to open, with the first medical equipment being installed and the final work being done on the bays where ambulances will drop patients to it.
The new building sees the hospital receive a modern and fit-for-purpose AMU split over two levels, with 36 assessment spaces allowing for patients to receive timely, high-quality care in the right place. It was great to have a tour of the facility and speak with some of those who will soon be treating patients, with it expecting to admit its first patients on 14th December. A core benefit of the new facility is it will help take pressure off the Emergency Department (ED) as winter arrives.
Given recent national headlines about the pressures on ambulance services, it is good to see this investment coming online here in our bay just at the time our local NHS needs it.
Bird Flu
The UK is currently suffering from a significant avian flu outbreak.
I raised in Parliament how this outbreak is not only impacting commercial poultry farms but posing a threat to the conservation work being undertaken by Zoos.
Paignton Zoo experienced the first avian flu outbreak in England and was forced to temporarily close, causing significant loss of income, estimated at £1m. Current Government measures to mitigate against the disease focus on separate approaches for farmed birds and wild birds, whereas Zoos have both. In addition, the compensation scheme is geared towards commercial farming, not conservation charities reliant on paying visitors for their core income streams.
The Government must now introduce a separate set of measures for zoos, recognising the conservation work they do and how their financial position is affected by an outbreak of avian flu, as sadly Paignton Zoo will not be the last Zoo affected.
Wind Energy
Since Putin’s attack on Ukraine, becoming less reliant on energy imports and producing more of our own is even more important.
In doing this we should consider all options. Whilst this must be alongside other methods, such as new nuclear and offshore wind, we should not rule out new onshore wind turbines where suitable sites are commercially viable and have the support of the community living around them.
I am therefore backing an amendment to the Levelling Up Bill which will remove the (effective) national ban on onshore wind and allow local communities to decide.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 9th December 10am till 12noon at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT and Saturday 17th December 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with, rather than a wider policy debate. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
