PRESS
RELEASE 22 August 2007
MP
Andrew Murrison is unimpressed by Devizes-based Wiltshire PCT's
latest attempt to put a favourable gloss on the difficulties it
is having in putting together the Neighbourhood Nursing Teams that
are part of its scorched earth policy on community hospitals.
Andrew
says;
“The
closure programme is a textbook example of false economy and silo
budgeting that will reduce the quality of healthcare available in
West Wiltshire even if its implemented smoothly. My reading of this
latest announcement from PCT high command is that the wheels are
already falling off plans that it forged in the unshakable belief
that it knew best and everyone else was wrong.
“When
the PCT announced its closure plans I said that I thought healthcare
professionals would be unimpressed but it seemed to me that this
was not considered a major stumbling block - big mistake.
“PCTs
in Somerset and Dorset have acted on the views expressed by patients
and professionals whilst ours have been ignored. Consequently they
have developed a more enlightened attitude towards community hospitals
and are not facing the difficulties that Wiltshire evidently is.
Andrew
is especially concerned about cover from 6pm to 7am which is subject
to dispute over staff rosters. He fears that cover will be notional
in many rural locations out of hours and has yet to be told precisely
what the make up of neighbourhood teams during working hours will
be in his constituency. He predicts that there will be greater pressure
on the already struggling ambulance service and more inappropriate
admissions to the Royal United Hospital Bath and Salisbury District
Hospital from West Wiltshire.
PRESS
RELEASE 10 August 2007
MP
hails County's health schools success
Andrew
Murrison has praised Wiltshire County Council's local education
authority for sizing up well against the national and region performance
in gaining the government's Healthy School accolade for its schools.
38%
of Wilsthre schools now have Healthy School Status against the national
average of 31% and the average in the south west of 36%. This represents
a considerable improvements on figures published in response to
a parliamentary question (PQ) tabled by the MP in May 06 which put
Wiltshire near the bottom of the league table.
In
a reply to Andrew's letter of 22 June 2007 following up on his PQ,
Carolyn Godfrey, Director of Children and Education at County Hall,
said;
“We
are on track to achieve the government milestone of 55% achievement
by December 2009.”
Andrew,
who has four daughters in Wiltshire primary schools, said;
“A
great deal of ill health can be prevented by adopting a healthy
lifestyle and since bad habits acquired at a young age are often
difficult to change it makes sense to encourage youngsters to think
about what they can do to stay well.
PRESS
RELEASE 6 August 2007
MP
at neighbourhood policing team meeting
Andrew
Murrison will attend the Seymour and Adcroft Neighbourhood Policing
team meeting at ‘The Cabin', Seymour Road , Trowbridge tomorrow
(Tuesday) at 5pm at the invitation of PC Dave Thompson, Community
Beat Manager.
Andrew
has previously been out on the beat with PC Thompson's team of Police
Community Support Officer on the Seymour estate which has in the
past had substantial crime difficulties. The MP will learn about
the success that has been achieved in the reduction of crime levels
and what plans there are for the future.
Andrew
said;
"Community
policing appears to be doing the business in Trowbridge. PCSOs have
become an accepted part of the local scene. They are trusted by
residents who appreciate having someone that will listen to their
concerns and take steps to improve life in their neighbourhood".
PRESS
RELEASE 4 August 2007
Frome
incineration: MP was told Surrey foot and mouth carcasses
were being burnt on site - not in Somerset
Westbury
MP Andrew Murrison was alerted by local farmers this evening to
say that a Frome incinerator plant just outside his Wiltshire constituency
had this afternoon been buying up Wellington boots and disinfectant
from a local wholesaler in preparation for the disposal of carcasses
of cattle culled in Surrey . BBC News this evening appeared to corroborate
the story by showing a lorry load of cattle that it said was heading
for Somerset .
The
MP spoke twice this evening to DEFRA officials who said that the
carcasses were being incinerated on site in Surrey yet another official
at the Environment Agency (an Agency of DEFRA) told his researcher
that the carcasses were being disposed of now at the Frome site.
In a third call at 2055 to DEFRA this evening Andrew was told they'd
check with the Environment Agency and get back to him by phone and
e.mail with clarification – nothing has been heard since. Meanwhile
the DEFRA foot and mouth website set up to advise farmers was not
available this evening.
Dr
Murrison said;
“The
confusion and misinformation people are being fed by DEFRA gives
the impression of subterfuge or incompetence which simply isn't
helpful at a difficult time for farmers who need to be able to rely
what they are being told by officials.
“I'm
surprised that 64 cattle have to be carted across four counties
for disposal given the lessons that were surely learnt in 2001.
I can understand the government's desire not to re-run the politically
damaging images of cattle being incinerated in pyres on site but
they could surely be disposed of closer to their place of slaughter
than this.
PRESS
RELEASE 25 July 2007
Strong
support for Samaritans 24:7 Day at Commons
Local
MP Andrew Murrison MP is backing Samaritans 24:7 campaign which
aims to raise awareness of Samaritans service, their need for volunteers
and funds. Last week he joined up with other MPs outside the Commons
to show his support.
MP
said, “I welcome Samaritans' 24:7 day campaign and commend the charity
to people looking for a unique volunteering experience that can
really make a difference.
Samaritans
requires volunteers with a range of skills from being able to listen
to being willing to sort mail, raise funds and crucially to work
to ensure that this key community resource is plugged into its residents
at every level. For example at a time when hospitals and
GPs are running at very high level what Samaritans can do is take
on some complimentary support work to benefit both the users of
their service and the NHS too."
Their
service continues to be 24 hours a day, as it has for over 50 years.
I personally want to thank them for the time they give to this community."
The
number of events organised in relation to 24:7 has a bearing on
awareness of Samaritans' round-the-clock emotional support service
– but also on funds raised and Samaritans relies entirely on fundraising
and donations from the public and companies as the charity receives
virtually no Government funding. Samaritans needs £15 million
a year to keep its service running.
Anthony
Langan, Public Affairs Manager with Samaritans said " It really
great to report that 24:7 saw many fun, enjoyable and above all,
fruitful events. It is also important to remember that Samaritans
exist to support those who find it hard to speak. We must bridge
the gap between those in distress and ourselves I want to give my
thanks to everyone getting behind this campaign and raising the
profile of Samaritans to ensure we reach those that need us."
Samaritans
was the first 24 hour helpline to be set up in the UK and now also
offers e-mail, face to face and correspondence support.
Samaritans
volunteers cover 482 phone telephone help-lines 24 hours-a-day,
7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. Samaritans phone lines are busiest
between
10.00p.m
and 2.00a.m in the morning.
PRESS
RELEASE 25 July 2007
Sir
Steve Redgrave thanks local MP for dyslexia campaign support
MP
Andrew Murrison met Sir Steve Redgrave last week to discuss the
Olympic legend's campaign to secure improved provision in local
schools for children with print disabilities, including children
with dyslexia and low vision.
Sir
Steve and Andrew met at the annual Altformat story competition awards.
The award ceremony, held to celebrate the winners of a national
story writing competition for dyslexic schoolchildren, took place
in the House of Commons.
Andrew
said;
“I
have constituency interests in dyslexia and am written to about
it quite a lot. So I was keen to hear from Steve about the progress
of his campaign to provide print disabled students with learning
materials in formats other than printed text.
The
five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve, who is dyslexic, points
out that 70% of all information given out at school comes as printed
text and that visual and print impaired students need access to
the curriculum in alternative formats (‘altformat'), such as MP3
audio, large print, Braille or the DAISY electronic format. Of the
70% materials in printed text, only 4% is currently available in
alternative formats.
In
Sir Steve's view, students with print disabilities should receive
appropriate altformats at the same time non-impaired students
receive their curriculum material so that their learning and attainment
are not held back. The campaign, which is supported by the main
dyslexic and blindness organisations around the world, can be visited
at www.altformat.com .
After
discussing his altformat campaign with Andrew at Westminster , Sir
Steve said: “I feel very strongly about the importance of altformat
- I've seen research from America , which shows that if students
with literacy problems are exposed to learning materials as combined
audio and text, their test scores can increase by almost 40%. This
is staggering and it's time everyone knew about it.
“I'm
delighted Andrew is taking an interest in the altformat campaign
because we need the support of MPs to persuade the government to
look at increasing the level of support for dyslexic and visually
impaired children”
PRESS
RELEASE 19 July 2007
MP
at Codford's Woolstore
Andrew
Murrison will be at Codford's famous Woolstore Theatre at 11.30am
on Saturday with his daughters for an open day designed to highlight
thespian opportunities for young people.
He
said;
“The
Woolstore theatre is a fascinating institution with a unique history.
“Someone
once said that politics is showbiz for ugly people so perhaps the
theatre might find me a walk-on part!
PRESS
RELEASE 19 July 2007
MP
at Bowyers meeting
Andrew
Murrison will tomorrow attend a brainstorming session at 1pm at
Pentagon House, Castle Street Trowbridge, HQ of Wessex Chambers
of Commerce, to discuss the future of Bowyers following last week's
announcement that the site may close by April 2008.
The
meeting will include local authorities and organisations that may
be in a position to assist.
Andrew
said;
“The
gruesome twosome, DEFRA and the EU, have together delivered a real
blow to the county town through the Protective Geographic Indicator
that has meant that Melton Mowbray pies can no longer be made here,
hence the closure plans.
“However,
I hope that we are able to salvage something and that the impact
on jobs and the economic vitality of the town can be minimised.
PRESS
RELEASE 19 July 2007
MP
visits Battlesbury
Andrew
Murrison will tomorrow morning be visiting Warminster's Battlesbury
Barracks.
The
newly appointed Shadow Defence Minister is following up reports
of poor accommodation by soldiers that approached the Warminster
Journal earlier this week with pictures of cockroaches.
The
MP has been asked by Conservative Leader David Cameron to investigate
reports of sub-standard military accommodation across the country.
Friday's visit means his fact finding mission begins on his own
doorstep.
He
said;
“Our
soldiers who put their lives on the line in the service of the country
naturally expect some hardship when deployed but should not have
to put up with shoddy accommodation at home.
“It's
hardly surprising we're loosing so many highly trained people from
the Army given the way they're being treated by their political
masters.
PRESS
RELEASE 18 July 2007
MPs
meet new councils minister
Westbury's
Andrew Murrison MP, Devizes' Michael Ancram MP and Salisbury 's
Robert Key MP met with new local government minister John
Healy MP in the Commons yesterday to reinforce the case against
the county council's proposals for a mega-council in Wiltshire.
Michael
and Andrew met John's predecessor Phil Woolas MP last month to discuss
the bid.
The
MPs were briefed before yesterday's meeting by council chief executives
and councillors.
The
minister is expected to announce his decision on 25 July.
After
the meeting Andrew said;
“There
is precious little public support for the county council's unitary
bid and I hope the minister rejects it next week.
PRESS
RELEASE 18 July 2007
Trowbridge
schools visit Parliament
MP
Andrew Murrison has welcomed Clarendon School and John of Gaunt
School to Parliament this week.
On
Tuesday students from Clarendon toured Westminster , put questions
to the MP and had a briefing from the Commons education unit. On
Wednesday John of Gaunt students visited, met Andrew and either
attended Prime Minister Questions or were talked through the process
by the education unit.
Andrew
said;
“It's
always good to welcome people to the Commons and a particular pleasure
to discuss the workings of Parliament with young constituents.
PRESS
RELEASE 18 July 2007
MP
attends launch of CHANT manifesto
Andrew
Murrison this morning attended the launch of a manifesto for community
hospitals sponsored in the Commons by Community Hospitals Acting
National Together (CHANT) the umbrella group for community hospital
activists.
The
document lays out a 10 point plan for community hospitals.
The
MP said;
“I
very much wish that those entrusted with the future of our community
hospitals were signed up to the values expressed by CHANT which
accord closely to the views of my constituents.
“The
scorched earth policy followed by West Wiltshire and now Wiltshire
PCT is damaging healthcare provision in my constituency and our
experience is mirrored nationwide.
PRESS
RELEASE 16 July 2007
Browne's
answer on military inquests shows that having a part-time Defence
Secretary is a bad idea
The
part time Defence Secretary Des Browne said today, that there was
no backlog in military coroner's inquests.
Yet
half of deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan have not yet had their inquests
to the great distress of service families.
Shadow
Defence Minister, Dr Andrew Murrison, who this morning discussed
the situation with receiving coroner David Masters said:
"There
are 109 inquests outstanding and they need to be expedited as the
Shadow Leader of the House admitted last Thursday. I fear the poor
grasp of this vital issue displayed by the minister today is proof
that you can't do an important job like Defence Secretary on a part-time
basis.”
PRESS
RELEASE 13 July 2007
BOWYERS
Andrew
Murrison has reacted angrily to the announcement that 400 jobs are
to be lost at Pork farm Bowyers' Trowbridge premises. He will be
meeting company officials at the plant this afternoon and trade
union officials at his Trowbridge office this afternoon to
discuss the future.
The
MP has slammed DEFRA for the crisis and points out that he warned
of the possibility of job loses for the precise reasons given for
the announcement yesterday as far back as 15 June 2004.
On
15 June 2004 he instigated a debate called ‘Food Industry (West
Wiltshire)' in the House of Commons in which he challenged the then
food minister Alun Michael about DEFRA's timidity in opposing the
application for Melton Mowbray Pie manufacturers to ban the production
of pies called Melton Mowbray from the south of England where they
have been manufactured to traditional recipes for many years. This
they were able to do thanks to EU regulations.
The
MP said;
“I
am devastated by this news. Had ministers been at all sympathetic
when I raised this issue with them three years ago, there would
not now be this threat to my constituents' jobs.
“I
am truly appalled and sickened by this.
PRESS
RELEASE 13 July 2007
MINISTER
PLEDGES MORE CASH FOR SOLDIER DEATHS CORONER
This
is of great local importance and is the result of an operation yesterday
by the Opposition to get the Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman
QC MP to commit to the proper support of the Wiltshire Coroners
Service so that the inquests that will now be held at the Town Hall
in Trowbridge would not be held up.
Needless
to say, I'll be following this us on a weekly basis with the Coroner
and the minister to ensure that action follows words. However, I
am delighted with this result and it will come as great news to
Service families that have lost loved ones.
HHH POLITICS
Inquests
Topic POLITICS
 Published
12 Jul 2007 - 13:53
By Jack Doyle
and James Watson, PA
Page 1: 13:53
A
Cabinet minister pledged more funding today for the coroner investigating
British deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Leader
of the Commons Harriet Harman said "resources will be forthcoming"
to Wiltshire coroner David Masters.
It
was reported Mr Masters was struggling to secure a meeting with
ministers about funding amid fears of increasing delays.
New
inquests are now held in Wiltshire, once the bodies are returned
to the UK at RAF Lyneham. The burden was moved from the Oxfordshire
coroner in April after a backlog built up.
The
BBC reported that the coroner requested more funds, but has been
told to wait until the autumn for a meeting.
This
is despite ministerial pledges to help bereaved families by cutting
the length of time they must wait for an inquest.
Ms
Harman told the House of Commons: "We will not allow a backlog to
arise in the same way that it did in the past in Oxfordshire.
"If
he (Mr Masters) makes it clear what resources are necessary then
those resources will be forthcoming.
"I
think we are all completely clear we cannot have delays to inquests."
A
Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said they would be meeting the Wiltshire
coroner's representatives later this month.
Shadow
leader of the house Theresa May told MPs there was a backlog of
109 inquests which was causing "considerable distress" to bereaved
families.
Simon
Hughes, for the Liberal Democrats, said there was "widespread concern
that there should be absolutely no delays."
More
than 220 UK service personnel have died in Iraq and Afghanistan
since operations began.
PRESS
RELEASE 12 July 2007
MP
presents prizes in Sutton Veny
Andrew
Murrison will be presenting prizes at the celebrated annual Sutton
Veny Flower Show on Saturday 14 July at 4pm. It is the Show's 40th
anniversary year.
The
MP and newly appointed Shadow Defence Minister said;
"The
Flower Show is always a very popular, traditional and much loved
event that is renowned not just in Sutton Veny itself but for miles
around.
PRESS
RELEASE 12 July 2007
MP
visits McDonalds
Andrew
Murrison will be visiting McDonalds restaurant in The Spitfire
Retail Park, Trowbridge at 1030 tomorrow (Friday).
The
MP has been invited by franchisee David Williamson to tour his premises
and chat to staff. As a doctor Andrew is especially keen to
hear about the healthy options on offer.
PRESS
RELEASE 11 July 2007
MP
pulls pints
Andrew
will be drop in at The Crown Inn, Market Place, Westbury on 13 July
at 1215 as publicans across the county celebrate Proud of Pubs Week.
Andrew
is one of more than 100 MPs visiting pubs during the national celebration
of pubs, organised by The Publican magazine, which runs from July
8 to 15.
The
MP will be discussing issues with licensee Christine Holt including
the impact of the smoking ban that commenced on 1 July.
Daniel
Pearce, deputy editor of The Publican , said: "Pubs do so much their
communities and we thought it was about time that more MPs dropped
in to their local to see that for themselves! Proud of Pubs Week
is the ideal opportunity to pub landlords to shout out about all
the great things they do."
PRESS
RELEASE 11 July 2007
MP
writes to minister about bypass
Andrew
Murrison has written to the minister at the Department for Communities
and Local Government Baroness Andrews to ask if, given her decision
to 'call in' the Westbury bypass application, the local public inquiry
that her inspector will now conduct can begin without delay.
The
MP who believes that Westbury should have its long awaited bypass
said;
"Whilst
the minister's decision this week will allow views to be expressed
more comprehensively than would otherwise have been the case, an
unduly drawn-out process is in nobody's interest. I hope the minister
will crack on with her inquiry.
PRESS
RELEASE 10 July 2007
MP
attacks post office closure plans
Andrew
Murrison has lent his support to demands by Wiltshire County Council
to halt the wholesale closure of post offices. The County Council
has organised a petition that has been signed by more than 13,000
people that it plans to send to ministers.
The
MP's call came as news emerged that the Government is to push ahead
with the closure of 2,500 Post Offices across the country, on top
of the 4,000 already shut since 1999.
Andrew
said,
"The
government already holds the record for closing Post Offices faster
than any other, they are now going to shut at least a further 2,500
branches over the next two years. This will be a hammer blow to
community life. By the time of the next election, Tony Blair and
Gordon Brown will between them have shut down over a third of the
entire Post Office network.
"I
fear local communities across Wiltshire will lose their only shop
and vulnerable people will lose a service they depend on. If the
new Prime Minister is genuine about the need for change he could
start by reversing his government's plans for post office closures."
Conservatives
have called for Sub-Post Offices to be given greater freedoms to
offer a wider range of products, are pushing for more Post Offices
to be 'one stop shops' for local and central government services,
and want to make the Post Office Card Account a more flexible tool
that offers more.
PRESS
RELEASE 10 July 2007
MP
veterans and service families
Andrew
Murrison's new frontbench job as a shadow defence minister is to
cover a range of personnel issues that will use his experience as
an ex-Serviceman and MP for a military area including the garrison
town of Warminster .
He
said;
"I'm
delighted that David Cameron has asked me to deal with issues like
married quarters, defence medical services, veterans' affairs, service
families and service children's education.
"Much
of this relates to my own constituency and has featured heavily
in my caseload over the past six years.
The
towns and villages that Andrew represents are home to a very large
number of servicemen and women and service veterans from each of
the Armed Forces.
PRESS
RELEASE 6 July 2007
MP
Opens Fete
Andrew
Murrison will do the honours at The Mead Community Primary School,
Hackett Place , Hilperton, Trowbridge at 2pm on Saturday 7 th July.
Andrew
will be helping to judge fancy dress, fairy cakes, art, tray gardens,
fruit and vegetable entries at the Summer Fair.
PRESS
RELEASE 6 July 2007
Murrison
becomes Shadow Defence Minister
Westbury
MP Andrew Murrison has become a Shadow Defence Minister in David
Cameron's reshuffle.
Andrew
served for 18 years as a Medical Officer in the Royal Navy. Recalled
in September 2003, he served in south-east Iraq as a regimental
medical officer with the Army although he had voted against the
war. On his return to the UK he was made a Shadow Health Minister
a post that he now relinquishes.
The
garrison town of Warminster , the Regular Commissions Board at Westbury
and Keevil airfield fall within his constituency.
Andrew
said;
"I
am delighted to have been asked to join my party's defence team,
particularly given the importance of the Armed Forces in my constituency."
PRESS
RELEASE 21 June 2007
MP
visits Warminster market
Andrew
Murrison MP has teamed up with football legend Gary Lineker to highlight
the importance of markets like Warminster's.
Gary,
the son of a market trader, and Andrew are both backing National
Markets Week, which will kick off on Monday June 18.
The
Week, organised by the All Party Group on the Markets Industry,
is designed to highlight the importance of markets in strengthening
communities and providing healthy food at cheap prices.
Andrew
Murrison will visit Warminster market on at 9.30am on Friday 22
June to market manager and chat with traders.
More
than 200 MPs nationally - almost a third of the total - have agreed
to visit their local indoor, outdoor, farmers or specialists markets
sometime during the week.
Gary
Lineker, the former England captain, who used to help his dad out
on Leicester market, said:
"Market
traders are some of the most hard working men and women in the country.
Many people depend on markets for their livelihoods. I am very
pleased to support the markets industry and would like
to see more young people entering the trade.
"Some
people are so used to driving to supermarkets that they do
not realise what a wonderful asset they have on their doorsteps
- in the heart of their community - to get their five portions
of fruit and vegetables a day."
Local
MP and Shadow Health Minister Andrew Murrison said:
"Markets
make local town centres more vibrant and draw in trade. They can
encourage people to eat healthy, local food, which is often cheaper
than the supermarkets.
"Markets
also benefit the environment by contributing to a reduction in "food
miles" and unnecessary and wasteful packaging of food.
"They
are great public spaces for people to meet for a chat and to catch
up and a welcome feature of the small towns I represent."
Ann
Coffey MP, Secretary of the APPG on the Markets Industry, who came
up with the idea of Markets Week, said:
"Our
theme is: Fresh, Tasty and Local. This is a great opportunity to
shout about the importance of street markets in making local town
centres come alive."
Research
carried out for the National Market Traders Federation in 2005 showed
that goods brought on the nations traditional and historic markets
can be up to 27 cent - or up to £10 per shop cheaper - compared
to prices at Tesco, the UK 's largest supermarket chain. In some
individual cases, savings per item were found to exceed 50 per cent.
Researchers compared prices of 20 identical items on markets and
the local Tesco at locations in the South, Midlands and the North.
The
last decade has seen a steady growth in niche markets: farmers'
market, craft markets, Christmas markets and French and German markets.
Markets
Week will start with a reception in the Macmillan Room, Portcullis
House, at the House of Commons on June 18 at 6.30pm where the guest
speaker will be Yvette Cooper, the planning minister.
PRESS
RELEASE 20 June 2007
Wiltshire MPs go fishing
for rail improvements
Andrew Murrison and James Gray, the Conservative MPs for Westbury
and North Wiltshire respectively, today joined campaign group Transport
2000 's [1] Sardine Man [2] and actress Jenny Agutter in calling
on the Government to tackle rail overcrowding and improve and expand
services for passengers through its upcoming 30-year rail strategy.
With over a billion people taking train journeys every year, rail
overcrowding has become the number 1 passenger concern. Government
figures forecast a 30% growth in rail passenger miles by 2016 [3].
The Conservative MPs said that if we are to meet our international
obligations on climate change then we need to put rail at the heart
of a green transport strategy. They also claimed the Government
is failing to tackle overcrowding on railways and needs to make
decisions on capacity enhancing projects quickly to avoid people
turning away from the railways.
Jenny Agutter, Transport 2000 's patron, is encouraging other MPs
to follow the lead of the Mr Murrison and Mr Gray. "Rail use
by passengers and for freight is having a real renaissance and is
at its highest level since the 1950s, and still rising. This is
great news - but the rail network and number of services has not
expanded to keep up with demand. The Government will be issuing
a rail strategy this summer which must place growing the railways
at its heart."
Andrew added:
"My constituents are fed up with being packed into train carriages
like sardines. Although there's be a slight improvement locally
recently, it's not surprising that people have been writing in to
say that they've given up and are taking the car instead."
PRESS RELEASE 15 June 2007
MP to discuss trains
Andrew Murrison and other South west MPs will meet this afternoon
in the Commons to discuss key strategic rail issues in the region
with the Regional Development Agency (RDA).
Of particular relevance to Andrew's constituents will be the planned
discussion of the controversial First Great Western rail franchise.
Andrew says;
"My mailbag suggests that FGW is improving its service in West
Wiltshire but from a very low base. It has got a long way to go
and I'm interested in the RDA's view on the way ahead given the
strtegic importance of the routes the company operates.
PRESS
RELEASE 15 June 2007
MP
objects to Warminster hospital casualty closure plans
Andrew
Murrison has written to the PCT to condemn its plans to shut Warminster's
minor injury unit permanently on 1 October. From that date patients
will have to go to Trowbridge hospital which is also scheduled for
closure.
The
MP says;
"I
suspected that initial relief that Warminster was to be saved from
the PCT's community hospital closure programme was a bit premature
and so it has proved.
"Given
the town's relative isolation from Bath and Salisbury its MIU is
very important. The PCT's insistence that the ambulance service
will pick up the work that the hospital currently does is very odd.
"I
very much regret that the PCT is continuing its war of attrition
against our community hospitals against the strongly stated views
of local residents.
PRESS
RELEASE 13 June 2007
MP:
New figures support call to save Trowbridge maternity unit
A
big increase in the fertility rate in recent years has greatly exceeded
the Government's estimates of the number of live births and has
placed pressure on midwives. Each midwife now delivers almost 25
per cent more babies each year than the Royal College of Midwives
believes is appropriate, helping to explain why so few home births
are delivered and why so many midwife-led maternity units are threatened
with closure.
The actual number of live births has deviated sharply from the Government's
estimates, with almost 40,000 more births taking place in 2006 than
anticipated. The number of live births has increased by 12.5 per
cent since 2001, whilst the number of midwives has increased by
only 4.5 per cent. Unbelievably, the government has actually cut
the number of midwives working in the NHS in each of the last two
years.
With the European Working Time Directive also leading to pressures
on up to a third of England's 176 consultant-led maternity units,
Labour's commitment to offer a choice to expectant mothers – which
was only reiterated two months ago - is unlikely to be delivered.
Local MP and Shadow Health Minister Andrew Murrison said:
“ The PCT's plans to close Trowbridge maternity unit need to be
looked at again in the light of these new figures. I'll be writing
to request a review."
PRESS
RLEASE 13 June 2007
MP
gets it 'wrong' for Wallace and Gromit
West
Wilts MP Andrew Murrison this week joined forces with Oscar winning
animated stars Wallace and Gromit to help promote Wrong Trousers
Day (WTD) 2007. Andrew posed with the life-sized characters (see
attached photo) to help encourage as many people as possible to
get involved with this year's Wrong Trousers Day on Friday 29th
June.
Inspired
by the animated antics of Wallace and Gromit, Andrew posed with
the cheese-loving pair in aid of children's hospitals and hospices.
Wrong Trousers Day is being held on 29th June and has a sports theme
- Get your Kit on . Participants pay £1 for the 'right to
look wrong'. On Friday 29th June people in Wiltshire can help Wallace
and Gromit's Children's Foundation to reach their target of 1 million
participants by 'Getting their kit on' to raise money and help improve
the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices all around
the UK.
The
campaign, organised by Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation
and supported by sanofi-aventis, is also on the look-out for the
team sporting the 'wrongest legwear.' Anyone has the chance of going
up against wrong trousered celebrities in an online public vote
for the dubious honour of the Wrongest Wrong Trousers in the UK
.
Andrew
is calling on people in Wiltshire to take part in the event by visiting www.wrongtrousersday.org and registering for a free Wrong Trousers Day fundraising pack.
Andrew,
said:
"Members
of Parliament aren't really known for admitting we're wrong but
on this occasion I'm more than happy to wholeheartedly support being
wrong on Wrong Trousers Day, Friday 29 June 2007.
"This
is great opportunity to wear some really 'wrong trousers' while
at the same time raising money for a superb charity. "Each year
Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation raises hundreds of
thousands of pounds to provide activities for some of Britain 's
most poorly children who are undergoing traumatic treatment in hospitals
and hospices throughout the UK ."
He
encouraged as many people as possible to register on the WTD website:
"I
would encourage people to log on to the Wrong Trousers Day website
and get involved with the fun!"
Nicola
Masters, director of Wallace and Gromit's Children's Foundation,
said:
"A
million wrong trousers means £1 million for sick children
in the UK . Team up today and get your kit on this Wrong Trousers
Day on 29 June, and help us reach the magic million for the kids
who need it most.
"Register
online today and your £1 will contribute to a better tomorrow
for the children we support."
PRESS
RELEASE 12 June 2007
Unitary
bid: MPs meet the minister
Wiltshire
MPs Andrew Murrison and Michael Ancram will this evening (Tuesday)
meet local government minister Phil Woolas to lobby against Wiltshire
County Council's bid to become a unitary authority.
The
MPs believe that the proposal to abolish the district councils and
create a mega council would not be in the interests of their constituents,
that it would be expensive and risky and that, crucially, it lacks
a broad base of support in the county.
Dr
Murrison said;
"The
minister who is considering Wiltshire County Council's wrongheaded
application has stated that there should be a broad base of support
for unitary status if he is to accept it. From the correspondence
I've been getting there's a very clear consensus in Wiltshire against
the county council's plans."
PRESS
RELEASE 11 June 2007
MP
supports National Carers Week 11-17 June
Andrew
Murrison has signed early day motion 1340 in support of carers week.
The EDM calls for a review of the government's national carers strategy
and has been signed by 290 MPs.
The
West Wilts MP believes that the government should do more to reduce
the number of unclaimed carer benefits. He said;
"Whilst
the government must not attempt to nationalise caring being done
informally by friends and relatives, more support for the valuable
work that they do will deliver rich rewards for the most vulnerable."
Andrew,
who has been contacted by constituents that care for people with
dementia, believes that judgements on the provision of drugs like
the controversial anti-Alzheimers medication should be made with
the value to carers factored into the cost/benefit analysis that
the government makes, He says that this may well improve availability.
PRESS
RELEASE 6 June 2007
MP
talks to top dentists
Andrew
Murrison MP will be at the Birmingham International Centre on Friday
to address top dentists at the annual meeting of the country's Local
Dental Committees (LDCs).
The
Shadow Health Minister will survey how dentistry has gone since
the government introduced its new NHS dental contract in April 2006
and say what the Opposition would do in office.
Speaking
in advance of the conference he said;
"More
people pay more to have their teeth fixed since the new contract
was introduced and access has deteriorated.
"In
my view we need a system for NHS dentistry based on proper registration
similar to general medical practice, dentists paid according to
the number of patients registered and greater encouragement for
members of the wider dental team to undertake treatments.
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