Your MP Writes (From Worcester News)

Your MP Writes

9:05am Thursday 24th July 2008 in Latest Blogs By Richard Taylor

Two attractions in Wyre Forest deserve wider recognition and a visit this summer. First we have the rejuvenated Stourport Dock Basins where the Midlands canals join the river Severn.

These have been restored and the Lichfield Basin re-flooded to provide more space for moorings.

Suitable buildings are under construction around the basin.

Soon the entry from the town centre will be improved and the narrow and broad beam locks will become more accessible.

Another attraction to nature lovers is the Wyre Forest, one of the most valuable sites for butterfly survival and conservation in England.

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Wyre to go on a brief guided butterfly watch.

There were ringlets, small dark butterflies that do not mind a little rain, and gatekeepers, much brighter browns and oranges, and several of one of the most beautiful species in Wyre, silver washed fritillaries, elegant, large, bright yellowy-orange butterflies with black markings on the upper surfaces of the wings and a silver wash on the under surfaces.

The Health Select Committee Report on Dental Services has been published. This concentrated on the controversial new contract for NHS dentistry and we concluded that it was failing to improve dental services and that it had been inadequately piloted.

We found that access was deteriorating, complex treatments were being carried out less frequently and that primary care trusts were variable in their ability to commission dental services satisfactorily.

We recommended a return to registration with a dentist and a more sensitive arrangement for patient charges.

We await the Government’s response with interest.

The Darzi report on the future of the NHS emphasises quality of care with safety and compassion and kindness from all staff.

Sadly, lack of compassion and even simple kindness has been the cause of complaints I have received.

Another welcome feature is the recognition that polyclinics may not be appropriate for semi-rural areas like ours and that GP-led health centres could be a suitable alternative.

To qualify for this title and the money that goes with it, such a centre has to be open 12 hours a day for 365 days a year to provide a drop-in service and an appointment system.

During exchanges in Parliament I obtained assurances that local GPs were eligible to apply to provide these additional services from their existing premises.

Sadly, I understand this became clear too late for the PCT to delay its tendering process to allow local GPs time to plan to express an interest in providing the extra services.