Hope Cove Weekend
A fun packed weekend! The swimming races went well. The sandcastles were a credit to the competitors and I met the crew from the Hope Cove Lifeboat.
Photos by kind permission of Nicole Marie Polec.
Riviera Housing Trust
Today I met with the Chief Executive of Riviera Housing Trust, Molly Holmes and was taken on a tour of their estate. We discussed the problems facing both tenants and the Trust. I heard about Dreamscheme which is a way of working with young people on estates to involve them in projects that benefit the community and saw the result of one of these schemes at Queen Elizabeth Drive.
Meeting with Harbourway Dental Surgery
This was an opportunity to meet with local dentists to discuss the problems with the dental contract and how we address the barriers to providing better access to NHS dentistry in Brixham.
The current dental contract has many perverse incentives to provide substandard care and it was helpful to talk to Nick and Grahame about the changes that would be required in order to redress the situation that provides an incentive to remove a tooth rather than reward the time consuming work required to save it.
Meeting in Brixham with the Devon Local Pharmaceutical Committee at Healey’s Pharmacy.
It was good to meet with local pharmacist, Paul Moloney, and Sue Taylor and Mark Stone of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee to discuss how the Health White Paper might impact on Pharmacies in Devon.
Pharmacists are keen to expand their role in the NHS. Pharmacies like Healeys already provide a range of services from contraceptive advice and health screening to advanced advice about medicines and a harm reduction service for drug users.
Many people are unaware of how detailed and lengthy a pharmacist's training is and with their accessibility and close ties with local GPs they are well placed to increase the range of services they can provide to communities.
We looked today at their easy to access Chlamydia Screening service and how this helps to provide confidential access to screening without needing to do any more than walk into a pharmacy and pick up a free testing kit, no appointment needed.
Cycle Surgery Totnes
This was a great opportunity to work with Paula Black, Green Party County councillor and Robert Vint, Lib Dem District Councillor, towards a common goal; the opening up of a safe cycle route from Totnes to Littlehempston.
Whenever cycle routes are proposed there are those who fear that they will lead to vandalism or to overdevelopment. The reality is that cycle routes are used primarily by local people but also by visitors who bring great benefits to the local economy. It would be a shame for Totnes, the home of the Transition Towns Movement, to miss the opportunity to be on the NCN2 cycle route. Some businesses wish to restrict access across the river via a bridge largely funded by public money on the grounds that their properties might be vandalised.
My feeling is that the root of the problem lies with the derelict Dairy Crest site as such sites always tend to attract vandals. Surely the answer is to look at where protection can be added rather than seek to exclude an entire population. With careful hedging, fencing and CCTV much can be done to deter vandalism whilst encouraging walkers and cyclists to stick to the path.
The Rare Breeds Farm and the South Devon Railway declined our offer to meet with a delegation of cyclists. The offer of a private meeting later in the day was taken up by 2 local residents who were able to explain their concerns about increased traffic and the risk of inappropriate parking on the Littlehempston side of the bridge and cyclists' safety. This was a constructive meeting to look at alternative routes and how to address potential difficulties if the route does go ahead.
I would encourage businesses to look at the benefits that comparable cycle routes have brought to their local communities and see how pubs, attractions and village shops benefit from ‘green' tourism. You have only to look at the first Sustrans route from Bristol to Bath or smaller routes such as Malborough to Salcombe, to see how cycle paths open up safe links between communities that can be enjoyed by all.
The cycle surgery was enjoyed by well over 50 cyclists of all ages.
Political Forum
The Conservative Association are keen to welcome visitors to their political discussion evenings.
On this occasion I discussed my first impressions of Parliament and then took questions from the audience of about 50. These are always friendly and lively discussions and it was good to be able to also welcome 2 students from Kingsbridge sixth form.
If you would like to find out more about the Association Political Forum please contact the Totnes Office on 01803 868378.
Totnes Show
A wonderful Day out at Totnes Show.
Congratulations to Bernard Taylor, Michael Pedrick and the committee for all the hard work that goes into such a successful Show.
Totnes Surgery, Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes
Another busy surgery to try to help with constituents' concerns.
Meeting with Ann James, head of NHS Devon
Formerly Devon PCT, but now NHS Devon, this is the PCT that commissions services for half of the Totnes Constituency. Rather confusingly, anyone living in the area covered by Torbay council will come under a different Trust.
I met with Ann to discuss the White Paper and the current commissioning arrangements. With so much uncertainty ahead for PCTs the challenge will be in managing the transition from PCT to GP led commissioning. There will be a great need for experienced staff from PCTs to support GP commissioning and to help ensure that the teams in place to take over from PCTs have the expertise to manage complex budgets, demand and fairness of distribution. It would be a wasted opportunity and undermine the credibility of GP commissioning if GPs failed to engage with the process and merely handed over to private commissioners.
My concern is how we will manage to control demand fairly and within limited resources. Who and at what stage will someone, somewhere have to turn down a demand to be referred or treated?
There are many unanswered questions about the nature of GP commissioning and I am glad to have the opportunity to sit on the Health Select Committee to be able to press for answers to the many questions that need answering on this subject. If you have any thoughts on the White Paper and GP commissioning, please get in touch.
Meeting with Sue Waldron and Norma Partington from the Child Support Agency
I met with Sue and Norma to discuss how the CSA manages cases and how to help where progress is slow or obstructed by those who seek to evade their responsibilities.
This was a fascinating insight into the Agency and the kinds of difficulties that can be encountered. This is always a large part of any MPs postbag.
Meeting with Ann Whitely, director of Childrens Services at Devon County Council
It was good to meet Ann to discuss childrens' services in Devon and to be able to establish a link in order to understand the pathways of care for young people in Devon.
Meeting with Torbay Care Trust
In the afternoon I caught up with Anthony Farnsworth, Chief Executive of the Torbay Care Trust to discuss the challenges facing the Trust and Anthony's views of the success of integrated health and social care.
We agreed to stay in touch over the coming months to discuss the impact of the Health White Paper on the Trust.
Meeting with Age Concern, Paignton.
It was good to meet Robin Causley, director of Age Concern in Torbay at their Paignton headquarters.
Also an opportunity to hear about the work they do and tour the advice centre and shop to meet the many volunteers who do so much for the community in the Bay.
Kingsbridge Surgery Quay House, Kingsbridge.
If you would like to arrange an appointment for a future surgery, please call Nina Smith on 01803 868378.
Vegan Supper in Moreleigh
I was invited to meet with a group of national and local animal rights campaigners over a vegan supper in Moreleigh.
There were many areas of common ground and I am keen to promote a variety of animal welfare issues in association with the RSPCA. There were areas where we agreed to differ, most notably around the issue of whether we should allow a cull of diseased badgers, but we have made arrangements to keep in contact to maintain a dialogue over areas where we can work together in the interests of animal welfare.
I also had the opportunity to explain my position over the issue of hunting with hounds. I am not personally in favour of repealing the ban, but I have always committed to asking the electorate. So far the majority are in favour of maintaining a ban on hunting. If you would like to register your view, please email me but please include your address so that I can ensure that the poll is not biased by repeat voting and that all votes come from those living in the Totnes constituency.
Meeting with Paula Black in Totnes
On Friday I met with Paula Black, Green Party County Councillor, to discuss progress on creating a cycle path between Littlehempston and Totnes. We are both keen to promote the creation of a safe route and to complete a vital link in the NCN2 cycle network.
So many businesses could benefit from a safe route that would increase green tourism in the South Hams. We know that with families increasingly seeking to take holidays in the UK, this is a growth area and one that would benefit the whole of the local economy. I urge Devon County Council to actively seek the safest and most cycle friendly option in planning the route.
Meeting with local farmers and NFU representatives.
It was a pleasure to meet with so many local farmers and hear about the many difficulties facing the industry. Top of the list of concerns was the devastating effect of bovine TB. Farmers face high costs in terms of the time taken to meet the testing regime and many told of injuries to themselves and to livestock in trying to carry out the tests. Compensation often fails to adequately meet their costs if animal have to be culled and many told of their exasperation at having to cull cattle whilst badgers are highly protected under the current legislation.
Other issues causing concern are fears around tagging of sheep. I was told of the problems of ear tagging causing injuries to sheep and repeatedly falling out. Duplication of inspection regimes and bureaucracy are particular issues for farmers and need to be rationalised.
Finally, at the root of so many problems, we discussed the stranglehold on prices exerted by supermarkets. Farmers survive on very low incomes and cannot afford to take on the help they need. Farmers need fair prices for their produce.
Parliamentary Cycle Ride with Victoria Pendleton
Meeting Victoria Pendleton on the annual Parliamentary Bike Ride was inspirational and it is clear that we must do more to help young athletes to have the opportunity to train for Olympic Success.
For cycling, this means the provision of velodromes for training, but the nearest to Devon is currently in Wales which means it is unrealistic to train track cyclists in the South West. British Cycling is investigating a velodrome in South Devon and I will be discussing this with the head of British Cycling in the South West, Chris Yates, at the Dartmoor Classic this Weekend.
As an MP I will do my best to promote the interests of cycling in Torbay and the South Hams. If you would like to get involved please get in touch with your ideas of for safer cycling routes.
I can't do anything about the hills but there may be ways around them.
Thank you
I would also like to thank Louise and Richard Newman of Strete for hosting their annual Strawberry Tea, which I attended in the afternoon.
Brixham Trawler Race
If you haven't yet visited Brixham for the annual Trawler Race, this is one for your diary next year as it is always held on the 3rd Saturday in June.
A great spectacle, enormous fun and made the World Cup vuvuzela sound quite quiet. Congratulations to Pam and the team of organisers for another great day.
Salcombe
On Friday I met with the Town Council, many stakeholders and concerned members of the public at Batson Creek to discuss their concern at the decision by South Hams District Council to invest £160,000 in a boat hoist.
Whilst SHDC are understandably concerned by the possible risks posed by the existing boat crane operating in a public car park, the current operators argue that they have passed all safety checks.
It is a real problem that with our current compensation culture, the owners of a car park can find themselves liable for injury to people who put themselves at risk by climbing on cranes even though it is patently their own actions and stupidity that will have caused the injury in the first place.
It is a shame that such concerns have led to this situation and I hope that SHDC will delay their decision to allow further consultation with Winters, the current operators to see if a compromise regarding liability can be reached. There have been no recorded injuries from the existing crane and many of those I met at the Creek Car Park argued that the £160,000 would be better invested in other local projects.
Waving off Henry Bomby
Inspirational 19 year old Henry Bomby, set sail on Saturday at the start of his project to sail single handed around Britain, climbing the Three Peaks and taking part in the Round the island Race on the way.
Having met Henry before the election whilst he was preparing for his voyage, in aid of ‘Toe in the Water', it was a great pleasure to join the massive turnout of well wishers on the quayside to wave him off from Dartmouth.
You can follow Henry's progress and find out more about ‘Toe in the Water',which helps servicemen recover from their injuries, on their websites.
The Pilgrim Preservation Project
This was a wonderful opportunity to tour the Pilgrim Preservation Project at Butler and Co, Old Mill Creek in Dartmouth.
Pilgrim is the last Brixham built, wooden trawler to have worked amongst the fleet of around 300 that operated out of Brixham in the 1900s. They are very rare and this is a unique opportunity to watch as she is restored and see her extraordinary construction.
An unmissable part of South Devon's Heritage, I urge you to look at their website and consider sponsoring a plank so that the project can reach completion and she can be back in Brixham for 2012. The team are always looking for volunteers and have ambitious plans for her future.
Visit to Dartmouth Hospital
It was a great pleasure to return to Dartmouth Hospital to see the newly refurbished Minor injuries Unit and to discuss the future of Community Hospitals with Tracey Cunningham, matron of Dartmouth Hospital.
The hospital was built in 1894 on the South Embankment and continues to provide a fantastic service for local residents, who would otherwise face a long journey to Torbay.
It is impossible to overstate how much patients benefit from the personalised care and link to their home communities provided by Community Hospitals. I would like to see an expansion in the outpatient services available at Dartmouth. At present ENT is available and the previously threatened paediatric clinic has been reinstated.
Why not expand these and bring more expertise out into the community? The future for community hospitals is to extend the services they offer. In addition to x-ray two days per week why not include ultrasound and other diagnostics like endoscopy?
It was also interesting to see some of the innovative measures staff take to look at how standards can be continually examined and improved at Dartmouth.
I challenge any hospital in the country to provide a better or more therapeutic view from its dayroom.
Opening of Kingsbridge play area and Skate Park
It was a real privilege to be asked to cut the ribbon at the opening of the Kingsbridge play area and the skate park.
Having seen the site under construction during the campaign and heard about the extraordinary efforts of so many in the community to make it happen, it was wonderful to see it so full of children on a beautiful sunny day.
Cllr Mike Howarth thanked all those involved and then I joined the prime movers, Cllr Anne Balkwill and Wendy Bolt in cutting the ribbon. After a walk around the Creek it was a real pleasure to be able to open the skate park and watch an impressive demonstration.
If you have not been to Kingsbridge recently, take a look. With its vibrant high street and farmers' market and the transformation brought about by Kingsbridge in bloom, it is a wonderful place to visit. The play area in memorial park is outstanding; children could not fail to enjoy it. I just hope they have more success than I did at staying on the roundabout!
Meeting in Dartmouth after the great fire
On this day I visited Dartmouth to meet the Mayor, Richard Rendle, Simon Entwistle, Chair of the freeholders group and Nigel Way. After a discussion of the issues, an inspection of the site brought home the scale of the devastation to the heart of Dartmouth. It is clear that the community has done an amazing job in re-housing all those who were made homeless as a result of the fire and the Mayor's fund has been set up to raise funds for some immediate help for those who have lost so much.
The focus was on what needs to be done to get Dartmouth back on its feet for the summer season. The first priority is to sort out the traffic flow as there are reports of temporary signs being moved and numerous collisions and holdups as confusion arises over the new one way system.
I call on the Chief Traffic Engineer for Devon to review the urgency of the situation and arrange for permanent signage to be installed as soon as possible. Dartmouth traders are already suffering as a result of the hike in business rates and cannot afford to suffer further loss if visitors stay away because of traffic chaos.
I am confident that South Hams District Council will prioritise any planning arrangements needed for rebuilding of these lovely buildings.
Dr Sarah Wollaston MP
In August 2009 I was selected by voters of all political affiliations as the Conservative candidate for Totnes, in Britain's first ever fully open postal primary. This has given me a special mandate to represent all views and not just those of the Conservative Party, which I intend to carry forward now that I have been elected as your MP.
After 16 years of working as a GP in rural Devon, I felt it was time for me to stand up for many of the things we all care about, such as strong communities, local healthcare and employment.
As a doctor and a former police surgeon, I have seen the devastating effects of alcohol-related crime and binge drinking, and would take the opportunity to bring my professional expertise to these and other related topics.
In the current atmosphere of cynicism and mistrust of politicians, with my real life experience I can fully appreciate the difficulties that many people are facing in their lives.
Healthcare and science are seriously under-represented in Parliament. I intend to fight for the NHS and for healthcare that is tailored to our needs rather than those of big cities.
I am committed to taking the views of the whole constituency into account and promise to listen and be open to arguments.
