Tom Brake Reports Back

Posted by Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, at 11:09, Wed 5 October 2011:

Over many years, together with many local campaigners, I have thought to save the future of St Helier Hospital. That is why over the summer, I called upon the NHS London to reconsider the merger of St. Helier’s Hospital with the St. George’s NHS Trust (http://bit.ly/mS32cY). I have recently met with Peter Coles, Interim Chief Executive at St George’s Healthcare Trust, and received assurances nothing about a merger will affect the St Helier rebuild. I also made it very clear that local residents will not accept attempts to turn St Helier into a satellite hospital.

The Health and Social Care was approved by Parliament at the beginning of September. As part of the ‘listening exercise’ I submitted a 43 page document to the Health Secretary outlining the concerns of local people. I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats have been able to vastly improve the Bill, which will guarantee that the interests of patients are always put first, ensuring that there will be no privatisation of the NHS and no special favours to the private sector.

I am also pleased that the Government has announced the doubling of the Pupil Premium (http://bit.ly/oEFUdt) , delivered more apprenticeships (http://bit.ly/mlvRUH), and established the Green Investment Bank (http://bit.ly/lflyvd).

More locally, I have been fighting plans to terminate Thameslink services from Sutton at Blackfriars from 2016, cutting off all those who benefit from direct access to Eurostar, St Pancras and Kings Cross and Luton Airport.

Whilst I welcome proposals to double the number of services on the Sutton Loop, plans to axe direct services through London will be another blow to thousands of Sutton commuters who already get a raw deal on transport. Help me to make Network Rail think again by signing the petition (http://bit.ly/odFYtK) and joining the Facebook group (http://on.fb.me/oPkmPs).

You may also be aware that the Boundary Commission (http://bit.ly/oxsKWs) has proposed to redraw constituency boundaries. I am concerned that the impact these changes will have on local democracy, especially as it will lead to historic communities, such as Beddington and Wallington, being separated. Working with local people and groups we will be looking at these proposals in detail and will be submitting a response to the Boundary Commission that will include viable alternatives that will protect historic local links.

Over the last few months I have also been campaigning for improved road safety outside The John Fisher School (http://bit.ly/o2XC4v), joined with local volunteers to restore parts of the River Wandle (http://bit.ly/phGMz7), and called for our local Olympic heroes (http://bit.ly/pKav5O) to be celebrated.

As ever, please do let me know if you have any comments or concerns you would like to raise with me.

Tom Brake

PS. I run a monthly e-poll to hear the views and opinions of my local residents regarding topical issues, if you would like to take part in this, please email JOIN to info@tombrake.co.uk.

Comments

Posted by Christine Cullen, 12:43, Wed 5 October 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #

Two weeks ago I spent 4 hours on an appointment at the St George's Gynaecology Out-Patients' clinic. Time spent with the doctor totalled 5 minutes. St George's was chosen for their slightly shorter waiting list. I have now asked for a re-referral to St Helier. I very much hope that St Helier out-patients clinics have not also descended into similar chaos during the 18 months this government has been in power, and that the merger of St Helier and St George's does not affect patient services at St Helier as well as building projects.

I think it is a great pity that more LibDem MPs did not vote against the Health and Social Care Bill, given the reservations expressed by many of them. Now we have to rely on members of the House of Lords to do that work.

I have no doubt that Tom Brake and his colleagues are stemming much of what the Tories would prefer to do and am glad of that, but I fear it is nowhere near enough. They need to be much bolder.
Posted by adnan saqib, 15:53, Wed 5 October 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #

Mr. Tom Brake!

Thanks for your report i am very proud that you did not let me down and your hard work shows respect towards the trust that we put it on you.

Regards

Adnan

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