PRESS RELEASE 22 March 2007

MP's Friday of variety  

At 10.00am on Friday morning Andrew Murrison MP will meet with Tony Anthistle, MD of First Bristol, Somerset & Avon to discuss Transport Issues relevant to the Westbury constituency. The meeting will take place at Lovemead House in Trowbridge.

Dr Murrison will later arrive at St Augustine 's Catholic College in Trowbridge at 3.00pm to attend the Trowbridge Town Youth Council meeting. Andrew has been invited to speak about his role as an MP which will be followed by a question and answer session.

At 4.30pm Andrew will meet with Mid Wilts Video Society who will be presenting their DVD of 'Westminster to Wiltshire' featuring Dr Murrison in the constituency.

Andrew will attend the Bradford on Avon Citizens Forum Annual General Meeting to be held in St Margaret's Hall, Bradford on Avon at 7.30pm.  Andrew has been invited to speak.

PRESS RELEASE 19 March 2007

Dr Andrew Murrison MP joins fight to raise awareness of prostate cancer

Local MP, Andrew Murrison joined the fight to raise awareness of prostate cancer - the number one form of cancer diagnosed in men and also a major killer, with over 10,000 men a year dying from the disease.

Speaking at an event organised by the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action to mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, Andrew Murrison MP said, "Prostate cancer has been a taboo subject for too long. As with other cancers, patients who are diagnosed earlier have a greater range of treatment options. That is why it is so important that raise awareness of this major killer. I want to encourage all men in Wiltshire to be aware of their prostate, what it does and what can go wrong. If they are concerned, they should be seeking help from a healthcare professional."

Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:

Other, less common symptoms that may be prostate cancer are:

These symptoms may be indicative of some other condition, and not of prostate cancer. Some men with advanced cancer may have no symptoms at all. However if you are worried about any of these symptoms, you should go and see your doctor.

PRESS RELEASE 15 March 2007

MP visits Brokerswood Country Park for BritishTourism Week

Andrew Murrison will mark British Tourism Week (12-18 March) by visiting an important attraction in his constituency - Brokerswood Country Park near Westbury. Tourism is a major part of Wiltshire's economy and the MP believes that people are missing a trick by neglecting attractions closer to home and trekking off for breaks abroad.

Brockerswood Country Park is West Wiltshire's largest tourist attraction after Longleat and has been a family run business since it was opened by Andrew's predecessor Sir Denis Walters 40 years ago (1967). It has won prestigious David Bellamy Gold Awards for its conservation work.

Andrew said;

" Brokerswood Country Park plays an important part in the local economy focussing on the great outdoors. British Tourism Week highlights the significance of Britain 's fifth biggest industry - tourism - and I'm very pleased to be involved."

PRESS RELEASE 15 March 2007

MP meets Al Gore

Andrew Murrison this morning (Thursday) attended a meeting of ex American Vice President Al Gore, David Cameron and the Conservative front bench in London . The purpose of Mr Gore's visit was to discuss his concerns for climate change.

During the meeting he thanked the assembled MPs for the leadership they were providing on an issue of huge importance for future generations.

Andrew said;

"It was a pleasure to hear from a man that has done so much to draw international attention to the efffects of climate change.

"I'm proud that the Opposition is making all the running in this vital area but deeply disappointed by Gordon Brown's lukewarm approach.

PRESS RELEASE 9 March 2007

MP visits controversial arts project  

West MP and Shadow Health Minister Dr Andrew Murrison will today take up an invitation to visit Callington Hospital in Brislington Bristol.

The hospital has sparked controversy by spending £400,000 of public money on artwork as part of the 'Moving on Art' project designed to improve the therapeutic environment of the mental health unit that is part of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Wiltshire MPs Andrew Murrison and James Gray have been critical of the expenditure contrasting the spend with cuts to community hospitals in the county.

Dr Susan O'Connor, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director, will show the MP around the hospital and discuss the Moving on Arts project.

PRESS RELEASE 1 March 2007

MP to visit Bitham Brook Primary

Andrew Murrison will visit Bitham Brook Primary School (tomorrow) Friday 2 March at 9.30am during Citizenship Week. The school council has been involved in organizing some of the activities for the week and Andrew Murrison has been invited to talk to them about his role as an MP.

PRESS RELEASE 1 March 2007

MP: Patients and carers let down by scrutiny committee  

Andrew Murrison reacted angrily today after a decision by the Wiltshire's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to refrain from referring the Primary Care Trust's plans for hospital closure to the Secretary of State for Health. The MP said:

"Clearly health overview and scrutiny is not working properly in this area as the overwhelming views of my constituents have not been reflected in the decision taken today. Because the committee has decided to endorse the PCT's disastrous plans I will have grave difficulty convincing Patricia Hewitt that they should be reversed.

I fear it is a black day for local healthcare delivery."

PRESS RELEASE 28 February 2007

MP attends HOSC
Andrew Murrison will attend a rally outside County Hall aganst Wiltshitre PCT's plans to close community hospitals in his constituency tomorrow (thursday).

The MP then hopes to speak at the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting in County Hall in support of referring the PCT's plans to Health Secretary

Patricia Hewitt. The Health Secretary may then refer the plans to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel for a view before making a decsion.

Andrew said;

"Public opinion locally is very clearly against the PCT's plans so I think it's appropriate that the Health Secretary who is ultimately responsible should make a determination."

PRESS RELEASE 23 February 2007

Fairtrade coffee morning

Andrew Murrison will be attending Warminster Library at 10.30 on Monday 26 th February for a cup of Fairtrade coffee with the Warminster Fairtrade Group to mark the start of Fairtrade fortnight (26 th February - 11 th March).

The Fairtrade Group is attempting to get recognition for Warminster as a Fairtrade town which has Andrew's support.

Andrew said:

"I very much support the Warminster Fairtrade Groups efforts to gain Fairtrade recognition for Warminster. It has been a great success in Bradford on Avon and I am sure that it will be a benefit to Warminster too".

PRESS RELEASE 20 February 2007

MP helps to find best UK Manufacturer

Andrew Murrison is appealing for firms in Wiltshire to enter the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' (IMechE) Manufacturing Excellent (MX) Awards for 2007. The winner of the competition, one of the most prestigious in the business world, will win the coveted title of the UK 's best manufacturer.

This is the 25 th anniversary of the awards, set up initially by a dedicated team of IMechE members and business representatives to promote and protect the heritage of our UK industry and, most importantly, share best practice.

Firms, of any size can enter for the awards that are run in partnership with some of the country's leading business names from Barclays to the DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group. Each firm that enters is entitled to a free, bespoke Benchmark Report from a panel of manufacturing experts worth up to £20,000 after filling in a Self Assessment Audit.

The Report will offer a 'top tips' service to firms with invaluable advice on how to improve performance, taking size and resources into consideration. Furthermore, all MX participating companies are entitled to a free on-site diagnostic 'health check' visit of up to five days from MAS. Deadline for entries is 1 March 2007.

Finalists for the 11 categories will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony on 13 June at the Marriott hotel in London where the winners (and overall MX winner) will be announced.

Dr Murrison commented:

"I hope to see as many companies as possible enter as everyone is a winner. MX, now running in Germany , is now known as the international hallmark of best practice in manufacturing and we, as MPs, should be doing all we can to support MX and these companies.

For those that reach the final, they will have demonstrated that they are the elite in their field. A positive effect of this would be an enhanced local economy and potentially, more jobs for our area".

Firms interested should visit the dedicated website www.mx2007.org.uk , or email mx2007@imeche.org.uk . Alternatively telephone 020 7304 6859 to contact the office direct.

PRESS RELEASE 14 February 2007

MP puts his best foot forward

Andrew Murrison had his feet checked out by experts from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists in the House of Commons during 'Feet Matter' day. The Society was keen to increase the profile of the services that its members offer and to encourage them to sign early day motion 770 which recognises the important work that they do in promoting mobility and dealing with the foot consequences of illness.

Following the event - during which the MP was commended for his sensible footwear - Andrew has written to Wiltshire Primary care Trust to clarify the local position on podiatric services. He said;

"I was impressed by the range of work carried out by podiatrists and chiropodists. Their services are vital to people with mobility problems and conditions like diabetes and peripheral vascular disease but too often they are an easy target when money is tight. Cutting back may very well be a false economy and I hope our PCT will not be tempted to do so.

Notes

The attached photo shows Andrew's shoes being examined by a podiatrist during the promotion

PRESS RELEASE 13 February 2007

MP's Valentine message on threatened maternity unit  

Andrew Murrison will attend a meeting being held at the council offices in Bradley Road on Valentine's Day (tomorrow) at 7pm to discuss the future of health provision in West Wiltshire in the light of the major announcement on 30 January by Wiltshire PCT.

The Westbury MP, who together with Devizes MP Michael Ancram spoke against the PCT's plans at its Board Meeting in Public held at the Corn Exchange in Devizes last month said;

"I'm pleased that Warminster hospital has been reprieved and that in-patient mental health may remain in the district but otherwise I remain deeply unhappy with the new PCT's plans.

"The proposed closure of the district's maternity unit has infuriated my constituents in this rapidly growing area. I hope that the district council and the county's health overview and scrutiny committee will be able to encourage the PCT to change its mind.

"Valentine's Day is an appropriate opportunity to send a clear message to the PCT on local maternity services and our community hospitals which are a much loved feature of healthcare delivery in West Wiltshire.

PRESS RELEASE 12 Feburary 2007

MP: Why is Wiltshire still bottom of the class?

Andrew Murrison has condemned the government for awarding Wiltshire local education authority funding per pupil that is 141 st  out of 149. Surrounding LEAs also bumped along the bottom of the league table with the south west coming bottom of all the regions of England .

The MP said;

"Wiltshire has cost drivers that include rurality and turbulence caused by a high turnover of military families in garrison towns yet our share of the funding cake is poor."

Andrew whose five children attend state schools affected by the adverse funding settlement that he's objecting to has written to the Department for Education and Skills to plead for greater fairness in the allocation of funds.

PRESS RELEASE 4 February 2007

MP's green theme  

Andrew Murrison has signed two Early Day Motions in the House of Commons with a green theme.

EDM 616 calls for small microgeneration plants like solar panels and small wind turbines to be considered as 'permitted developments' under planning law. The MP said;

"It's plain daft that people who want to install these unobtrusive environmentally-friendly units to their homes should have to battle with the full majesty of the planning system."

The EDM points out that satellite dishes which are more obvious are allowed under permitted development yet microgeneration units are not.

The MP has also added his name to EDM 483 which highlights the importance of targets for microgeneration in order to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. He said;

"Further revelations this weekend of the dire implications of global warming and the likelihood that it might be contained relatively easily by taking action now should make us think how individually and collectively we can make a difference."

PRESS RELEASE 25 January 2007

MP's lunch date

Andrew Murrison has been invited by Headteacher Mrs Judith Finney to enjoy lunch with four of the children at Dilton Marsh Church of England Primary School tomorrow (Friday).

Before lunch he will discuss climate change with Year 6 children.

He said;

"Lunch at Dilton Marsh is always a treat as the school has some very good cooks.  I'm very much looking forward to it."

PRESS RELEASE 25 January 2007

MP attends migrant worker meeting  

Andrew Murrison will be attending breakfast meetings tomorrow to discuss migrant workers.

The Wessex Buisinees Breakfast hosted by Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce at Cumberwell golf club near Bradford on Avon will commence at 7.30am. It will be addressed by Chris Evans Director Marchmont Observatory on the subject of 'Migrant workers - a problem or a solution.'

At 9.30am the MP will meet at the same location with West Wilts Economic Partnership to discuss migrant worker issues in West Wiltshire.

The MP recently wrote to ministers to ask for an uplift to local resources to reflect the large number of migrants from eastern Europe locally. He said;

"My call for a resource allocation that reflects the scale of migration that local authorities and service providers will have to shoulder has been ignored.

"The minister has said we will have 'support' from central government but in practice this looks like warm words and crucially no extra funding. If services become stretched there is a danger that tension will arise between migrants and the indigenous population.

PRESS RELEASE 24 January 2007

MP signs train overcrowding motion  

Andrew Murrison has added his name to an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons authored by the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling that expresses concern at overcrowding on the national rail network.

The measure (attached) condemns the view expressed by a top department of transport official that people on a 30 minute rail journey should not expect to have a seat. It points out that fares are up but comfort is down. Local MP Andrew Murrison has condemned what he has called 'cattle truck chaos' on services run locally by First Great Western.

Andrew said;

"This EDM struck a chord with me because of the appalling sitaution we've got locally with First Great Western's service. Angry letters continue to roll in from constituents and, whilst I appreciate the constrains ministers have forced on FGW, the company really must sort itself out. I look forward to hearing how it intends to do so."

The EDM that has attracted cross party support calls on ministers to instigate an urgent review of the rail industry to deal with overcrowding.

PRESS RELEASE 24 January 2007

MP unhappy with PCT plans 

Andrew Murrison has given his first impressions of the extensive Board papers issued today by Wiltshire PCT on the future of community health services. He expressed his dismay at plans to axe Westbury and Trowbridge hospitals including the district's maternity unit and Charter House and will be consulting with activists to determine what measures should be taken to challenge them before the Board meeting next Tuesday which he plans to attend with Devizes MP Michael Ancram. He said;

"The PCT is trying to put a gloss on its unwelcome closure plans that are designed to help resolve its financial crisis. Axing our fantastic Trowbridge and Westbury hospitals together with Charter House and our wonderful maternity unit and failing to offer anything in return for the loss of Bradford-on-Avon hospital is unacceptable.

"The the only silver lining I can see is the reprieve of Warminster hospital although it's not entirely clear what services it will be offering in the PCT's brave new world. These and the other improvements hinted at by the PCT in exchange for the closures are heavily dependent on central government funding which in turn has not tended to favour areas like ours in recent years.

PRESS RELEASE 24 January 2007

Hospital Closures
Commenting on details of Wiltshire PCT's plans to close community hospitals to address financial deficits apparently leaked to the 'Gazette and Herald' Andrew Murrison said;

"I am appalled by this news of wholesale closure and scaling back of community hospital provision in Wiltshire. Clearly the leaked plans we have heard of will damage healthcare in my constituency and I urge PCT Board members to think again.

"When the PCT is good enough to let me have sight of the plans I will be able to comment more fully.

PRESS RELEASE 18 January 2007

MP meets churchgoers to discuss parking 

Andrew Murrison will meet with Conservative Group Leader Councillor Graham Payne and Churchgoers at the Old Baptist Chapel Bradford on Avon at 6.30pm tomorrow (Friday) to discuss new arrangements for car parking on Sundays introduced by the council that have been to their disadvantage. He said;

"Members of Church congregations tend to be elderly, on fixed incomes and in this area reliant on cars because there is no public transport, especially on Sunday. I hope the Council will be prepared to review its arrangements with this in mind."

PRESS RELEASE 17 January 2007

Trains - MP deluged with complaints  

Andrew Murrison's Trowbridge office has received an unprecedented response to his call for the public to write to him about the poor performance of First Great Western. He said;

"Letters and e.mail continue to flood in, all of it from people that feel bitterly let down by the appalling service they've had recently.

"There are welcome signs that the company has at least registered the strength of feeling and that a question-mark hangs over their stewardship of the franchise if they don't buck up.

The MP has written with the representations he has received to the company and he has also been in touch with the Transport Secretary to demand that he intervenes.

"Unfortunately the minister seems to be taking the 'not me guv' line but since he's responsible for setting the terms of the franchise and for auditing its operation that simply isn't good enough.

"We know that since the Department of Transport took control of the Strategic Rail Authority it has had full control of the network so we have to look to it for a remedy to the cattle truck chaos we've had in recent weeks.

The MP contrasted the performance of FGW with that of South West Trains which has earned his admiration recently for reinstating the direct service to London Waterloo.

PRESS RELEASE 16 January 2007

MP leads on community hospitals  

Andrew Murrison will today lead for the Opposition in a debate on community hospitals in the House of Commons. He will make plain his opposition and that of his party to the threatened closure of community hospitals locally and across the country in response to short term financial deficits in the NHS.

He said;

"On 30 January the local PCT will make a decision that may see all the community hospitals, the maternity unit and the in-patient mental health unit in my constituency closed down in return for the promise of some more community nurses.

"To reach this point the PCT will have wasted a great deal of money on sham public consultation. If its closure plans go ahead, it will effectively be shredding the opinions that have been expressed by the public.

"The PCT is apparently intent on a scorched earth policy in West Wiltshire, stripping out facilities here and shifting what limited resources are available to the north of the county where need is less.

On Friday Wiltshire MPs Andrew Murrison, Michael Ancram, James Gray and Robert Key met the new PCT Chief Executive Mr Jeff James and the new Chairman Mr Tony Barron at PCT HQ in Devizes.  

Dr Murrison said;

"There was a robust exchange of views but little common ground and precious little evidence that the PCT under new management is any more prepared to be bothered with the views and aspirations of residents than its predecessor. It seems that saving a pathetically small sum of money is all that matters to the PCT."

PRESS RELEASE 11 January 2007

MP visits new PCT bosses

Andrew Murrison will visit Wiltshire PCT bosses Jeff James and Tony Barron at their HQ in Devizes tomorrow at 2pm.

The MP will hear what the Chief Executive and Chairman want to see for healthcare in Wiltshire and reiterate his opposition to PCT proposals to shut all community hospitals, the maternity unit and the in-patient mental health unit in his constituency.

He said;

"Ministers have voiced their support for community hospitals as they rightly seek to move more services out of the big centres closer to where people live. Last week Labour-inclined think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research published a report that supported community hospitals.

"It seems that the tide has turned for community hospitals and the PCT is swimming against it. I hope for a change of heart that reflects the aspirations of local people.

PRESS RELEASE 11 January 2007

MP's green Christmas  

Andrew Murrison will be recycling his Christmas tree and Christmas cards tomorrow in the course of his normal constituency Friday.

At 1130 he will be handing over the family Christmas tree at Warminster recycling depot to be ground up and composted and at 1pm he'll be delivering his sackload of Christmas cards to Tescos in Trowbridge courtesy of Wiltshire Woodlands Trust.

He said;

"Like many people I've started to reduce my carbon footprint through simple things like composting household waste and recycling paper and glass at home and choosing energy efficient light bulbs.

PRESS RELEASE 2 January 2007

MP unconvinced by decision delay

Andrew Murrison is not convinced by the PCT's excuse for putting off a decision on the future of community hospitals in Wiltshire. In its press release the PCT says that its new Chairman needs time to gain a 'thorough understanding' of the issues. Dr Murrison said;

"I'm surprised that a Chairman has been appointed who evidently has little understanding of the issues. It seems he needs an extra two weeks but we are not told what he needs them for. Therefore, I've written to ask for the fact finding itinerary that I hope he's drawn up to fill his fortnight including visits to the threatened hospitals, meeting with leagues of friends, staff and patient groups.

"As his draft proposals strip out all the hospitals, the maternity unit and the in-patient mental health unit from my constituency, you'd have thought he would beat a path to my door to hear what my constituent's think. So far he hasn't called.

But Dr Murrison believes the delay may be influenced by other factors;

"We understand the newly appointed Chief Executive has been off on a month's holiday so maybe the delay is to allow him to get up to speed. Additionally, there just happens to be a major local hospitals rally at Westminster on the original decision date, 16 January. This would mean that if the Wiltshire announcement is adverse the national spotlight would have fallen on us with much embarrassment for our camera shy PCT.

"It's early days, but the new PCT needs to work hard to regain the confidence lost by its predecessor. So far it hasn't.