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Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - August

Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 15:33, Tue 4 September 2007:

Jeremy's monthly update (below) is also available via email. If you would like to keep up to date with his work in Taunton, please email office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk.

During August Jeremy held meetings with senior government Ministers on the future location of the UK Hydrographic Office and issues effecting Musgrove Park Hospital, as well as expanding his surgery visits across Taunton Deane.

HEALTH CARE IN TAUNTON DEANE

In August Jeremy launched the biggest ever survey of NHS services in Taunton Deane. Thousands of detailed questionnaires will be delivered to local households in the coming weeks, and the issues raised will be taken up by Jeremy in the House of Commons. He said;

“It is so important that we have top quality health services in Taunton Deane. Musgrove Park, Wellington Community Hospital, Dene Barton and the many GP surgeries are a vital part of our community. I want to hear the views and experiences of local people here in Taunton Deane. That is why I am undertaking the most comprehensive survey of local NHS services that our area has ever seen.”

BROWNE MEETS HEALTH SECRETARY

Jeremy has met with the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson MP, to discuss issues affecting Musgrove Park hospital. Jeremy commented;

“I was pleased to show the Secretary of State the recent changes to Musgrove Park’s A&E department. We have a strong standard of health care in Taunton Deane, but the problems in the NHS may still threaten local services.”

FIGHTING PARKINSON'S

This month Jeremy became Vice President of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. After pledging his support at Taunton Flower Show he attended the Young Parkinson’s Group meeting in Taunton. Jeremy said;

“I have a particular affinity for the PDS because my father developed the terrible condition when he was only in his mid-forties. It is important to raise funds for people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. It can also be very difficult for carers who usually also find their lives taken over by the illness. The great hope is that pioneering medical research will one day provide a cure.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

KEEPING THE UKHO IN TAUNTON

Jeremy held a meeting with South-West Minister Ben Bradshaw to discuss the future of the UK Hydrographic Office when he visited Taunton this month. After the meeting Jeremy commented;

“I made it very clear to the Government Minister just how important it is to keep the Hydrographic Office in Taunton. It is a vital part of the local economy as well as being closely connected to the community in Taunton Deane. It would be terrible for Taunton to lose 1,000 jobs just when the town is aiming to attract new investment and employment opportunities.

“Ben Bradshaw is the MP for Exeter, which is an alternative location for the Hydrographic Office, so there is potential for a conflict of interest with this Ministerial role. He assured me that he would not seek to put inappropriate pressure on the Ministry of Defence and that he would make it clear that it would be preferable to have a decision sooner rather than later.”

In September Jeremy will once again meet with UKHO CEO Mike Robinson to discuss the campaign.

VISITS IN TAUNTON

Jeremy’s other activities in Taunton this month included;

- attending Taunton Flower Show.

- meeting with the local Youth Offending Team, and Taunton police.

- visiting Orchard Portman Nursing Home, the Genesis Centre at SCAT and Dunkirk Memorial Home in Bishops Lydeard.

- opening West Monkton cricket festival (pictured top right with West Monkton’s Fundraising Secretary and Club Captain).

- calling the numbers at Mecca Bingo in Taunton (pictured middle right with main stage caller May Little).

- backing the ‘Support Certified Farmer’s Markets’ campaign at Taunton Farmer’s Market.

- opening the new Prockters Farm craft shop and gallery.

- celebrating 95 years of scouting in Wiveliscombe (pictured bottom right with local scouts).

- announcing the new cardboard recycling and ‘no park charges for charities’ initiatives instigated by Taunton Deane council.

- riding ten miles on an exercise bike to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society at Manor Nursing Home in Bishops Hull.

Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG