Support for a National DNA Database

I have thought long and hard about whether or not DNA samples should be taken from every British citizen. Four and half million DNA samples are currently held, and that leaves fifty five and a half million to collect.
I am in favour of doing just that. I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I think my number one reason for advocating a National DNA list is that it would help the proper authorities to solve crimes and arrest violent criminals.

Collecting signatures for Palliative Care Bed Unit at Kidderminster Hospital

I will be in our three towns during March, collecting signatures for the Petition for a Palliative Care Bed Unit at Kidderminster Hospital on the following dates between 11am and 12 noon.

Saturday 8th March outside Kidderminster Town Hall

Saturday 15th March outside the Housing Office, Old Post Office, Stourport

Saturday 22nd March outside Bewdley Town Hall

You can sign the Petition online Kidderminster Hospital Petition

Oborski and Campion – Two for a Pair

Radiotherapy Motion to County Council 21st February 2008
I do not like personal attacks between political individuals but I have to answer the slur made by Fran Oborski the Liberal Councillor, on her website. Wyre Forest Liberals
She says that I did not sign the motion – no I didn’t! When it was signed, I was at a meeting at Kidderminster Town Hall concerning the future of Lea Castle Hospital (she was there as well). I voted for the motion of course at today’s County Council meeting and spoke in favour of the Radiotherapy Unit being sited at Kidderminster Hospital – she did not, and neither did anyone else speak up for Kidderminster!!

Fran Oborski demonstrates an incredibly vindictive and petty attitude; non progressive and mean, without political common sense and not bothering to ask me about the subject – negative and pathetic.

In the past, I have tried to work constructively with Fran Oborski – in the Wyre Forest Education Review Board for instance. However, her snide comment about me  and the  Radiotherapy Unit is the last straw and the last time I shall be disappointed by her cheap throwaway jibes. From now on she doesn’t get the benefit of doubt or any helping hand. Recognise your political opponants and fight them all the way.
It just doesn’t pay to fraternize with the enemy, even on political common denominators – people like Mrs Oborski will always stab you in the back. Over and out!

And finally, did you hear the one about the Leader of Wyre Forest District Council writing to demand that I retract the statement that Kidderminster Hospital isn’t going to get the Radiotherapy Unit? After the Conservative PPC’s for Worcester and Wyre Forest made the same statement as I did, the Conservative Councillor himself presumably will not expect an answer to his letter. Here’s a tip for you Councillor Campion – before you decide to make a fool of yourself, get your demands checked out by someone who knows the subject and reflect upon it before you decide to score an own goal.

And apart from that arrogant letter, did he give a second thought to the fact that I had written to him some weeks ago and received no acknowledgement of my letter, let alone an answer!!
Again, know your political enemy and play it straight. Arrogance like his is typical of the new Tories.

Lea Castle Hospital

The Public Meeting held recently at Kidderminster Town Hall on the future of the Lea Castle Hospital was illustrative to say the least. It was rather apparent from the current providers, Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, that they had inherited Lea Castle Hospital by default. Many local people were in attendance and had local knowledge of Lea Castle (including me). Many employees past and present, parents, and carers of patients attended the meeting. I have to say, there is a democratic deficit in NHS decision making. I sincerely hope that Professor Lord Darzi is able to inject some accountability and common sense into the national and local policy process. However, events at Lea Castle are moving quickly.

The Public consultation on the future of Lea Castle runs until 28 March 2008

You can write to the trust

Lea Castle Consultation,
FREEPOST RRKX-CZKR-RBUX,
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust,
Caludon Centre,
Coventry CV2 2TE

Or fill in the form on the Trust website

http://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/Feedback/Lea-Castle-Feedback.asp

The Trust is putting forward 3 Options-

1.Do nothing.
2.Close the Centre-The Trust’s preferred option.
3.Develop services on the site.
 
It is important you let the Trust know your views on these options.

All responses must be received by the Trust by 1700 hrs on 28 March 2008.

Palliative Care Bed Unit at Kidderminster Hospital

My Petition for a Palliative Care Bed Unit at Kidderminster Hospital has been very well received by the public – why? Because there is a great need for such a Unit at Kidderminster. Over 300 signatures have between collected in two weeks.

You can sign the Petition online Kidderminster Hospital Petition

Local Employment in Wyre Forest

Very good news on the local employment front. Latest National figures show more people in work than ever at nearly 30 million. Between October and December 2006 UK unemployment fell by 61,000. The UK Unemployment Register now stands at 1.61 million.

Wyre Forest has benefitted from our Labour Government’s economic policies since 1997. We now have a local economy that has virtually no unemployment.

Severn Valley Railway

Great news that Severn Valley Railway (SVR) will re-open between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth this Easter, after the devastation caused by last years floods which caused much of the rail embankment to be washed away.
Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund oversaw an investment into SVR of £750,000 towards repairs. Donations from across the Region exceeded £500,000 .

The Railway is extremely important to the  Wyre Forest area and brings in much needed revenue throughout the year.Hundreds of volunteers help run the SVR and the steam trains give pleasure to thousands of tourists each week in the high season.

Kidderminster and Bewdley benefit directly from the customers of SVR and I for one, will be delighted to see the steam trains running through Bewdley filled with locals and tourists alike, enjoying travelling on the best steam line in the country.
Well done to all those concerned who have worked extremely hard to repair the line and resume the service.

Your NHS & Social Services Money Goes On Tory “Parties”

Is it any wonder that another scandal involving the misdirection of PUBLIC FUNDS has emerged with the Tories?

Tory MP Derek Conway has been recently censured by the  The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee over his payment to his son, supposedly working as his “researcher”.  The Commons Committee concluded that the arrangement was

 ”……at the least, an improper use of parliamentary allowances: at worst, it was a serious diversion of public funds”.

Labour MP Frank Field described, in Parliament, Tory MP Derek Conway’s conduct of siphoning money to his sons as “embezzlement.”

This amount of squandered money, could have purchased life-saving breast cancer drugs for a number of women and could have been used to pay for an urgent heart by-pass operation for someone, or could have been used to fund care packages for a number of elderly and disabled people. 

………….Instead it was used to fund the nightclub parties for the sons of a Tory MP.  The Daily Mail (not known for supporting Labour!) described the total amount concerned of YOUR NHS money as a whopping  £260,000.  Conway’s son issued invitations to a party with the charming theme of “F**k Off – I’m rich”

 I hope that the police do their full work in this case!   

   

LABOUR FIRST FOR THE NHS IN WYRE FOREST

Please Sign the Kidderminster Hospital Petition

New Services at Kidderminster Hospital – The Labour Party is campaigning hard for new services at Kidderminster Hospital. Prospective Parliamentary Labour Candidate for Wyre Forest, and St Barnabas County Councillor Nigel Knowles recently led a campaign to site a new Radiotherapy Unit for cancer treatment at Kidderminster Hospital. It seems likely that the new unit will however be placed at Worcester Royal Hospital. Six thousand people signed Nigel’s petition. They saw the need for the Radiotherapy Unit to be placed at Kidderminster Hospital. However, the new Radiotherapy Unit will represent a new County service for the people of Wyre Forest.

THE NEW URGENT CARE CENTRE AT KIDDERMINSTER HOSPITAL

This is a very welcome addition for patients in need of Urgent Care and is an up-grade of the Minor Injuries Unit with A&E Consultant supervision and a Doctor led team with Emergency Nurse Practitioners and clinical support. The six month trial period ends soon and Labour says it should be kept as a permanent service.

THE NEED FOR A PALLIATIVE CARE CENTRE

Kidderminster Hospital and its staff provide a fantastic service for the health care of local people. There is the Millbrook Cancer Suite, Four Operating Theatres, a Kidney Dialysis Unit with 20 stations, a Minor Injuries Unit and an Urgent Care Centre (for six months), 37 surgical beds, a Diabetic Centre, a CT Scanner, orthopaedic knee and hip replacements, a GP Ward with 20 beds, 16 Rehabilitation beds, Cardiac rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Mental Health Unit, a Primary Care Centre, Urology, Child and Family Services, Anti-Natal and a Gynaecological Clinics.

Labour Government has put £26 million of new money into Kidderminster Hospital and waiting lists for treatments are down. The Minor Injuries Unit treats 400 patients a week and 120,000 Outpatients visited our hospital last year.
Labour says, investment in Kidderminster Hospital should continue and we wish to see a dedicated Palliative Care Unit developed on the site.

The local Hospice movement is a wonderful and caring facility. There has recently been a new In-Patient Hospice opened in Worcester and Labour says we need to extend our NHS provision at Kidderminster. We respectfully call on the local NHS Trusts to invest in a Palliative Care Unit at Kidderminster Hospital and we shall be Petitioning for support during 2008 and onwards. Support the Petition on-line for Palliative Care beds at Kidderminster Hospital.