The NHS was 75 years old this week. My own son wouldn’t have had his last birthdays had it not been for its life saving work. Gratitude for what we experienced as a family at that time is the reason I became an MP.
In the years since then, our hospital trust has powered out of special measures, navigated through the pandemic, and is set to be transformed through the new hospital programme. A new chapter is set to begin.
And we all have our own DGH story too.
I was on the labour ward with my three babies and most recently, in orthopaedics with broken fingers! My most random visit would be on an election day to ‘ears nose and throat’ with a toddler and a tiny unfortunate piece of Lego…
Of course, the NHS landscape goes way beyond our hospital.
I was delighted to drop into Coppice Court Care Home last week, on a Hawaiian themed day of all days. I’ve also just recently spent a session with the team at one of our local GP surgeries on a busy Monday morning and this week, I met with Sussex’s new Integrated Care Board team in Parliament to look at the plans ahead. Hugely significant decisions around health funding, strategy and services sit with them.
From my casework and survey returns, access to skilled, compassionate health care is a top local concern and opportunities for me to engage with decision makers and those on the frontline is lifeblood to my work representing you so we can have the best possible healthcare here in Eastbourne.
Campaigning with local lady Lauren Backler a few years ago comes to mind as I write. For her mum, who died too young, our winning a reduction in the bowel cancer screening age was an important success.
Among very many health campaigns, I’ve been pleased to champion new menopause support and continue to press for a men’s health strategy. More resources to support the mental health of our children and young people and additional funding for care in later life are other important aspects of my work with and for Eastbournians.
Surgeries of a different kind are my own, at The Town Hall on a Friday or a call from the Commons on a Tuesday. Please do get in touch if there is any support I can offer. Until then, take good care.
