Recess
Posted by Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham, at 11:27, Tue 25 August 2009:
Dear Constituent,
You have probably heard a lot of rumours that all MPs are on holiday at the moment. Sitting at my desk in Westminster as I write this, it certainly doesn’t seem that way! All MPs are entitled to a short break with their families, same as anyone else, but the 12 weeks Parliament is in ‘recess’ doesn’t mean it’s time to rest up.
I’m writing to you today to ask you for three quick things:
1. You might’ve seen my ‘Get it Sorted’ campaign running on your street. I’ve been out with my team asking people what they want to see improved on their street, be it better lighting, less rubbish, or grass verges being properly maintained.
So what would you pick? Just email me with details of what you would like to see improved on your street (remember to tell me where the street is, please!) and I’ll get it sorted for you. If you are reading this through the Hear From Your MP site, please don't leave requests for the 'get it sorted' campaign here; it's a lot easier for me to monitor them if you email them directly to the office!
2. Nominate your local hero. Sounds a bit strange, I know, but that’s the point. There are ordinary people, young and old, all over Gillingham who make extraordinary contributions to peoples lives. I’ve teamed up with a number of local charities to recognise the work of everyday people who deserve a bit of recognition. It might be a friend who helps an elderly relative, a colleague who gives up time to volunteer, or even yourself! Do you know someone who should be thanked for the effort they put into the community? Tell me.
To nominate, visit www.medwayheroes.com and read more about the campaign.
3. My final plea is this: listen carefully to what you’re hearing from some Conservative MPs and MEPs about the National Health Service. This past week they’ve been talking about ‘dismantling’ the NHS, talking it down, splitting it up, however you want to describe it. I have given a commitment as your MP that I will protect NHS funding in Gillingham. That’s been my commitment since 1997. That’s in part why we have 3 new GP walk-in centres being built, a hospital with waiting lists shorter than ever, and the fastest A&E admission times ever.
Don’t go back to the days when you had to wait over 4 hours in A&E. Don’t go back to only being able to see a doctor when it suited them, not you. And don’t go back to a Conservative MP in Gillingham who won’t protect your health service. To find out more about health services in Gillingham and Rainham, my website www.paulclarkmp.com has more details.
Sorry to get political at the end there, but something needs to be said.
Thanks for reading, and if you want to unsubscribe from these emails then click the link below. All the best,
Paul Clark MP for Gillingham and Rainham
Comments
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Posted by Jennifer Coles, 11:41, Tue 25 August 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I had to wait over 4 hours in A&E at Medway Hospital only 4 weeks ago! Things do not seem to be improving from my experience.
Sadly, before going to Medway Hospital, I tried one of these marvellous walk-in centres (Gillingham) only to discover the doctors are only in for a short period of time at each centre, no doctor was available and in order to be seen, I had to travel to Strood!
So, not only was it a complete waste of time and inefficient, two receptionists were being paid in order to tell people they were unable to help!
Posted by Paul Tring, 19:02, Tue 25 August 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I tried to resist responding to the initial email (mainly because it is usually a pointless excercise) but having received a second email I felt I had to respond. 1. In response to your "get it sorted"campaign I and fellow residents have been in regular contact with you for more than eight years regarding crime and antisocial behaviour in our area of Twydall and there is nothing we would like more than to" get it sorted", unfortunately we have three Labour Councillors and a Labour MP who appear to be completely disinterested in finding a solution. 2.Not qite sure about the word "hero" but I woulld nominate residents who took government advice to stand up to antisocioal behaviour in order to build safer communities only to be ignored by all the relevant agencies. 3.Regarding the NHS, I suspect most people have both good and bad experiences whilst using the Service (I have). Like most people I also think there is much scope for improvement and will make a judgement on the policies of the various parties at election time rather than listening to negative campaigning by their opponents.