Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 12th December 2018) below:
Mental Health Funding Boost
There was an early Christmas present for our NHS with confirmation £8m in capital funding will be coming to our bay to improve Mental Health Treatment Services.
This funding will support the building of a brand new, 16 bed, mental health ward on the Torbay Hospital site. As well as providing a safe, high quality environment for people who require a spell of care in hospital, the new ward will mean more people can be treated closer to home, not face being placed outside our county, miles away from friends and family when they need their support the most.
This announcement is in addition to the £13m of funding to improve Urgent and Emergency Care in South Devon, which will include building a new Emergency Department at Torbay Hospital, secured earlier this year.
Dawlish Resilience
The other item which is high up my Christmas List is ensuring work to deliver a long-term solution which secures the Dawlish Coastal Route gets underway.
GWR’s new Intercity Express Trains have stood up well to the winter weather, but major investment in the track must be forthcoming. Network Rail’s plans are progressing, and it was encouraging to discuss them with the new Rail Minister, Andrew Jones.
The commitment to deliver a significant programme is there, yet like most in our region I will continue campaigning until another Orange Army is on site delivering the work needed.
Addiction
In addition to being in the Commons Chamber I use my time at Westminster to arrange meetings with Ministers about issues affecting our bay.
Last week I arranged for Chris Evans, a local Mum who lost her Son to Drug Addiction, to meet with Home Office Minister, Victoria Atkins. Having heard the powerful story Chris told at an event organised by Shekinah Grow I felt the Minister responsible for Drugs Policy should also hear it.
The meeting went well, with a proposal suggested as to how we could give more people the chance to escape their addiction.
Brexit
A week is a long time in politics, but three days could seem like an age this week.
As I write this column (on Sunday Evening) the events due in Parliament on Tuesday are being anticipated, including up to 7 key votes, but by the time you read it they will have happened. There is plenty of speculation about what might follow but nobody can say exactly what will happen.
The only thing for certain is the decisions taken over the next few months will be some of the most significant made since the end of World War 2.
And finally…
As this is my last column before the big day I would like to wish all Herald Express readers a happy and contented Christmas.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 15th December from 11am till 1pm at Barton Baptist Church, Happaway Rd, Torquay TQ2 8EU and Friday 21st December from 3pm till 5pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
Just call 01803 214 989 or e-mail me at [email protected] to book a slot. You can drop in, but appointments are recommended to avoid a long wait or disappointment. My team also run drop in surgery sessions Mon to Friday 10am -1pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
