PRESS RELEASE 22 May 2007

MP speaks out against mixed-sex wards  

Local MP Andrew Murrison has attacked beleaguered Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt for failing to tackle mixed-sex wards. The Shadow Health Minister was speaking from the despatch box in the Commons today (Tuesday).

The opportunity came during what will probably be Ms Hewitt's penultimate Health Questions before the anticipated reshuffle under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Dr Murrison cited the persistence of mixed sex wards as an example of insufficient choice and dignity for patients. He drew attention to recent findings by the independent Healthcare Commission in support of his concerns.

He said;

"We know from the Healthcare Commission's findings that mixed sex wards are not uncommon despite ministers' rhetoric.

"I recall from my own mercifully brief experience as an inpatient in a mixed sex ward some years ago how unacceptable it is to be accommodated in this way.

The government was forced to concede on 10 May that 28 out of 172 hospitals in England that have failed to eradicate mixed-sex wards - including the Royal United Hospital Bath that serves most of Andrew Murrison's constituents.

PRESS RELEASE 16 May 2007

MP writes to Environment Agency about bins

Andrew Murrison has written to the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency after his correspondence with the council revealed that it has been relying on advice from the Agency in requiring that kitchen waste should go for landfill rather than composting.

The district council is the authority that collects household waste with the county council as the disposal authority contracting disposal to Hills Waste. Whilst canvassing during the local government elections Andrew was made very aware that people were unimpressed with the fortnightly collection of bins and the new rules regarding what could be composted.

The MP said;

"I think the Environment Agency may be worried about the bio-security aspects of disposing of vegetable matter that may have come into contact with meat in the kitchen. The risk to the animal or human food chain from compost has to be incredibly remote so I've written to the Agency to ask for the evidence on which it is relying to provide advice to disposal authorities.

PRESS RELEASE 16 May 2007 

MP speaks out against house pack burden 

Andrew Murrison opposed Home Information Packs in the Commons this afternoon. HIPs will be a bundle of information that is meant to be of use to purchasers including local searches that buyers are invited to rely on and an energy efficient rating.

Speaking in support of a motion to annul the regulations that will usher in the packs that will cost every home-seller in the region of £700, Andrew questioned how appropriate it was to use a tick-box energy assessment that took no account of the large proportion of elderly housing stock lacking things like cavity walls that can be insulated and double glazing in areas like West Wiltshire.

After the debate Andrew said;

"It seems to me that the environment would be better off if people saved the £700 they'll have to spend on these pointless packs and put it towards insulating their homes by every practical means, perhaps with a bit of help from government."

"These HIPs are required because of an EU regulation which our government has taken the opportunity to 'gold-plate' with extra, costly burdens. I hope people will remember who to blame when they're shelling out for their HIP."

Conservatives and Lib Dems voted against HIPs but failed to defeat the government.

PRESS RELEASE 15 May 2007

MP speaks on alcohol dangers

Andrew Murrison local MP and Shadow Health Minister today spoke in the Commons in a debate on the government's alcohol harm reduction strategy.

He referred to his constituency interest in Clouds House East Knoyle which is part of the rehabilitation charity Action on Addiction. Andrew has had constituents with alcohol problems coming to see him at his advice surgery to say that they have been unable to access rehabilitation services.

Dr Murrison pointed out that alcohol services have played poor relation to drug rehabilitation despite alcohol killing three times as many people as drugs. He asked the minister Caroline Flint to say what review of her first alcohol strategy that ran from 2004 to March this year she has carried out and how this will determine the nature of the second strategy expected to be launched next month.

He said;

"I am concerned that a proper review has not been carried out. From the accounts I have had from stakeholders it seems that consultation in advance of the new strategy has been minimal.

"Sadly the minister failed to reassure me so I'll have to follow up our exchange with some correspondence.

PRESS RELEASE 3 May 2007

MP to visit Palmer Gardens

Andrew Murrison will meet Shaw Trust's MD Tim Cooper at Palmer Gardens , Islington, Trowbridge tomorrow (Friday) at 11am.

The MP is keen to be updated on the Trust's work and plans for Palmer Gardens particularly in view of the anxiety that has been expressed recently by constituents over the direction it has taken.

Andrew said;

"The Shaw Trust is a national charity with local origins that does a lot of good work on behalf of vulnerable people.

"I'm keen to see how Palmer Gardens has progressed since my last visit and to discuss with Shaw Trust concerns that have been expressed to me about some of the changes it has been making.

PRESS RELEASE 3 May 2007

MP meetings with new Housing Association Chairman

Andrew Murrison will tomorrow morning (Friday) meet Barry Hughes the new Chief Executive of West Wiltshire Housing Society at his constituency office in Trowbridge to discuss issues relating to the largest registered social landlord in his Westbury constituency.

Dr Murrison will be keen to hear what Mr Hughes proposes to do to improve housing for his constituents and to reduce homelessness in the area.

PRES RELEASE 1 May 2007

MP backs heart campaign and urges over 50s to "get physical"

Andrew Murrison today backed a British Heart Foundation (BHF) poster campaign urging people over 50 to be physically active for the sake of their health.

The MP for Westbury gave the thumbs up to the heart charity's 30 a Day campaign, after hearing the facts laid bare by BHF at a House of Commons event. BHF statistics reveal someone in the UK dies every 15 minutes as a direct result of physical inactivity, so Andrew is encouraging adults in his area to be active for 30 minutes every day (1).

Andrew says: "This is a fun campaign with an important message. Get physical, have fun and protect your future health. There are lots of ways to get your 30 a Day, but ones that you enjoy and can fit into every day life are likely to be the winners - be it gardening, walking the dog or a bit of a dance."

Just 30% of people over 50 in the UK get their 30 a Day (2), but the benefits are massive. It can halve your risk of heart disease and many other illnesses, setting people up for a healthy, independent later life (3).

A YouGov poll for the BHF's campaign shows that people give a range of explanations for their inactivity. Money was the top reason, with more than one in three people in the UK saying they would do more exercise if activities were cheaper (4).

Len Almond, Senior Advisor at the BHF's National Centre for Physical Activity and Health explains: "Getting fit doesn't have to mean sweating it out at an expensive gym - we can get our 30 a Day in all sorts of free and every-day ways. Things like vacuum cleaning or walking to the local shops are great ways to fit exercise in to our busy daily lives. Remember, 30 minutes exercise is only 2 per cent of your day."

At the House of Commons event, Andrew Murrison heard experts talk about key statistics and the importance of physical activity in our ageing population.

The MPs also heard BHF call more specifically on:

People are urged to visit the campaign website, bhf.org.uk/30aday for practical, fun ways to be physically active, or to order a free campaign booklet by calling 0808 156 5630.

PRESS RELEASE 26 April 2007

Andrew Murrison MP struggles with the small print

 Today, Andrew Murrison MP joined with the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) and Royal Mail Group to find out more about the daily problems facing 3,000 people with sight loss in West Wiltshire when trying to independently access written information.

On Wednesday in Parliament, Andrew took the "access to information challenge," by trying to read everyday information, such as hospital appointment letters, local government and financial information. But the information was distorted to simulate how someone might see it if they had a common eye condition, such as diabetic retinopathy.

Dr Murrison said;

" RNIB's access to information challenge provided a very useful opportunity to really think about just how much printed information we encounter every day and just how much of it cannot be read by people with sight loss. I am supporting the access to information campaign because I believe it is absolutely crucial that people with sight problems are able to get the information they need about their about finances, health and many other areas of their daily lives without having to rely on others. I'll be encouraging local service providers to improve the amount of information that is accessible for people with sight loss in Wiltshire."

Steve Winyard, RNIB Head of Public Policy and Campaigns, said;

"With at least 3,000 constituents who are unable to read standard print, Andrew Murrison MP has joined with RNIB to challenge local service providers to make their information available in large print, audio and braille.

Blind and partially sighted people are being sidelined when it comes to accessing information. For many of the two million people in the UK with a sight problem, obtaining information in a form they can read remains an every day challenge. Although laws are in place saying they should be able to receive information in a format they can access, all too often this doesn't happen. And yet, relatively small adjustments can mean the difference between inclusion and exclusion."

PRESS RELEASE 26 April 2007

MP to hear Matravers' plans

Andrew Murrison will visit Matravers School in Westbury tomorrow morning (Friday) at 0900 to meet the new Head and Chair of governors and to tour the school meeting students and staff.

He will be briefed on plans the school's leadership has to develop the school.

PRESS RELEASE 26 April 2007

MP chairs dental summit  

Andrew Murrison this morning chaired a top-level meeting of British dental association in the House of Commons.

The meeting was held a year after the introduction of the government's new dental contract and the day after the Prime Minister admitted for the first time during Prime Minister's Questions that his 1999 promise to provide NHS dentistry for all within two years had not been kept.

The delegates considered whether the new contract introduced on 1 April 2006 had been helpful in improving g access to NHS dentistry.

Andrew said;

"The summit was a brilliant opportunity to gather views and opinions from people on the frontline.

"The current unsatisfactory situation in NHS dentistry is in no small part down to the abject failure of ministers to listen to professionals and to patient groups. Policy makers must not make the same mistake again.

PRESS RELEASE 25 April 2007

MP in canal debate  

Andrew Murrison whose constituency contains a significant part of the national canal network today took part in a debate on the funding of British Waterways initiated by Conservative MP Michael Fabricant.

Andrew has received a number of letters from constituents that use the Kennet and Avon Canal for a variety of leisure and tourism pursuits. The canal is important for the local economy of west Wiltshire.

In his contribution, the MP cited the case of two of his constituents from Westbury who had just received a notice of increased mooring fees for their narrow boat on the Kennet and Avon canal of 44%.

Andrew said;

"British Waterways are strapped for cash because its grant from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs has been cut in part because of financial mismanagement surrounding DEFRA's single farm payments fiasco.

"This means that mooring fees have rocketed and improvements and maintenance along the canal network have been put on ice.

PRESS RELEASE 12 April 2007 

MP visits Duke Street homelessness centre

Andrew Murrison will visit Alabare - previously Action on Homelessness at 12-13 Duke Street Trowbridge tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm to discuss the work of the charity and progress in tackling West Wiltshire's homelessness problem that particularly affects young men.

At 11.30am he will be at Bradford on Avon railway station for a meeting with the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), the UK 's largest national cycling membership organisation.

At 12.30 the MP will meet Mr Derek Adams in College Road Trowbridge before moving to Beech Grove to discuss with Residents Association member s an informal garden created on a spare piece of land over the course of 15 years that the council wants to build on.