The long-desired presence of a doctor in the minor injuries unit at Kidderminster Hospital is to become reality soon.
It has been recognised that this will enable the unit to cope with common, minor medical illnesses as well as the injuries that the nurses treat well at the moment.
This will benefit the whole county by taking pressure off the accident and emergency department at Worcester.
At last, for Wyre Forest people, we are coming near to the minimum that the Government described as necessary for emergency services for local people in its document Keeping the NHS Local published in 2003.
We must now persuade the health trusts that an increase in the medical cover available for the out-of-hours GP service is necessary across the whole county.
We believe the Primary Care Trust has taken the first step toward this by looking for new providers for this service.
I returned to London last week for a press conference following the publication of the Health Select Committee’s report on the Electronic Patient Record.
This vital development for patient safety and communication has been delayed by the magnitude of the task.
Unlike other countries that are developing electronic health records bit by bit and building on existing systems, the Department of Health has chosen a Big Bang approach, centrally directed without, we believe, enough local involvement or incorporation of local computer systems already working well.
Hopefully we can influence the implementation and our involvement will persuade the Government of changes to make, particularly widening the information available to patients about the benefits of the electronic patient record to reduce the resistance to it that exists.
The Severn Valley Railway continues to battle against the widespread damage from the flash floods of June and July.
It has been recognised as one of the major tourist attractions in the Midlands and as such is crucial for the region’s economy.
It is vital also for those in the hospitality business where guest numbers have plummeted.
Were it not for the marvellous spirit among staff and volunteers this disaster could have finished the railway for good but this dedication, the help from Advantage West Midlands and the generosity of supporters, means that it could be restored to full running early next year.
The serious, threatened landslip above the railway on Northwood Lane in Bewdley was a potential disaster only recognised after the floods and has sadly put at risk several private houses.
As back pinning of the hillside on a large scale is necessary, it has added greatly to the cost.