Many readers will know I made the NHS, locally and nationally, my top priority from day one.
That is, of course, about hospital care but also primary (GP’s and community pharmacy), social and community care and mental health services. At some point most of us will rely them so I’ve always believed it’s essential they’re safe and sustainable for the long-term.
Both inside and outside Government I have argued robustly for the NHS and understood a strong economy makes investing in it possible. Since 2010, the NHS has had year-on-year budget increases but in the financial year ahead that really takes off as the service receives the largest increase in funding of its 70 year history; £394 million more a week.
That is a big number but the new increased investment in our NHS is now being translated on the ground into services that will benefit my constituents. As reported, our Trust has been awarded £10.2million of government funding which will be used to make improvements to the pharmacy and orthopaedic departments.
Upgrading the pharmacy facilities at Winchester hospital will have a positive impact for us all as it will mean clinicians are able to get medicines out to the wards sooner and to people leaving hospital thereby alleviating the acute problem of delayed discharge that creates so many issues across the wider NHS and care sector. Hospital pharmacy is often the quiet hero of hospitals and I know how much this move is needed.
Furthermore, the new centre for elective orthopaedic care will help the RHCH treat people quicker so they can get on with their lives.
Back in September, Chronicle readers will remember HHFT received a critical CQC report. Among other things, inspectors were critical of the emergency department in Winchester where ageing buildings and a 25% increase in attendances in recent years contributed to what was a worrying scorecard.
I said at the time (met with predictable organised outrage) we need to support staff to turn things around and we have done that with some £4 million in capital funding from the government to help further improve the layout of our emergency department and increase their capacity.
On Monday I visited the site to see how the work is coming along and spent time chatting with senior medical and nursing staff.
The improvements will create space for additional rapid assessment and treatment areas, as well as a paediatric assessment unit and will ensure all patients coming into the emergency departments are cared for in the right environment for their needs sooner, as well as providing a better working environment for staff. www.stevebrine.com/prioritynhs
And finally, Brexit. Let me repeat my sincerely held view that politics is the art of the possible and Brexit was always going to be a compromise. You cannot leave the club and have the exact same benefits which is why I think the Government’s deal, which preserves the advantages of EU membership for Britain’s manufacturers while ensuring a smooth transition to a new future for everything else, is worthy of support.
I think the responsible thing for every MP to do next is to give Parliament the chance to vote on a deal negotiated, after a referendum and as agreed again by the UK Government and the EU27. If Parliament rejects such, then anything is possible and both sides will have to accept that wherever it leads. www.stevebrine.com/brexit
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Steve Brine
MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford
