Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 18th January 2023) below:
PMQs
Last week I got the chance to ask a question at Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQS).
Whilst these sessions are notorious for party political point scoring, since being elected I have been clear I won’t waste a chance to raise a serious issue on behalf of our bay instead.
The pressures on our NHS over recent months have rightly seen focus on how we resolve these in the short term, yet alongside this work decisions are due on the biggest investment in Torbay’s health services since the NHS was founded in 1948, the Building a Brighter Future Project which could see £350m invested into rebuilding many of the facilities at Torbay Hospital. I therefore decided to ask the Prime Minister to restate the commitment given to it by his predecessor remains unchanged, which he did.
NHS
The last week not only saw me raise our health and care services at PMQs. I also attended a meeting with the Health Secretary to highlight issues with local GP services, took part in a debate about training additional doctors and received welcome confirmation of an additional mobile breast screening unit to support Torbay Hospital.
A surge in hospital admissions for Covid and Flu infections, at a far higher level than last year, has produced immediate pressures, with issues around ambulance response times being the most urgent to resolve. Yet longer term ensuring residents can access primary care and preventative treatments/screening, including NHS Dentistry, will help reduce the pressure on NHS hospitals and emergency care services. Additionally new technology gives opportunities for innovation which can help patients and support staff.
The current focus on our NHS and social care services in the media, government and across parliament, gives the chance to not only look for resolutions to short-term problems, but encourage a wider effort to create a system fit for the future.
Windrush
The Windrush Scandal saw many Commonwealth Nationals who held visas or were British Citizens suffer due to being unable to prove their status.
Many had lived in the UK prior to the creation of the modern immigration system in 1973, with a “declaratory” status granted by an act of parliament, but no record taken of it. The Wendy Williams Review which followed examined what had led to the scandal and how it could be addressed, her report identifying cases stretching back decades where people had been impacted. She made 30 recommendations, which the previous Home Secretary accepted and committed to implement.
The Windrush Scandal stretched over many years and different Governments. It is therefore vital all Wendy William’s recommendations are implemented to rebuild confidence with the communities affected.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 20th January 3pm till 5pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT and Saturday 28th January 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB.
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 from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
