It’s been great to see so many out and about enjoying the beginning of Summer. Nature really turns it on at this time of year and whether it’s watching osprey chicks on the TV if you can’t get out to being able to enjoy the sunshine, birds and flowers in the garden or busy animals further out in the countryside it is a time of fresh optimism and inspiration for everyone.
My thanks go to all at Chard Cricket Club for a lovely evening last week when I got to witness the youth programmes sponsored by the Club and the English Cricket Board. With 120 girls and boys, trained volunteer coaches and mums and dads, family and friends happily watching and chatting over a drink in glorious evening sun it was the sort of thing of which English cricket dreams. Getting a little bat bowl and a bat in the net practice was a great reminder of my love for the game and it is brilliant to see it bringing this community together so effectively.
As part of my focus on health care locally I continue to seek solutions for the shortage locally of NHS dentist and physical GP appointments, working both with local trust and NHS management and with Ministers in London. I also wrote again this week to the management of our hospitals’ health trust to emphasise the importance our community places on having a stroke service in Yeovil. For many it is important to be near loved ones especially when in recovery, and any service needs to be dovetailed with what the ambulance service is capable of and directed to do for suspected stroke patients locally. I will be meeting with them again shortly.
I am really pleased as someone who has championed more research into treatment for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia that the Government has this week announced a research funding increase of £160 million over the next year. This will build on recent research breakthroughs in treatment for Alzheimer’s.
It is also good news that the Government has announced its plan for a Major Conditions Strategy. Dementia is one that is included. This will set out a strong and coherent agenda for moving to integrated, whole person care, aimed at alleviating pressure on the health system, increasing healthy life span and people’s ability to take full part in life. The call for evidence on this runs until 27th June and you can have your say online at https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk
Finally many will be pleased to hear that the Government is taking action to ban electric shock dog collars. This takes place after an extensive range of evidence from experts was considered, and importantly collars that use vibration, noise, smell and other deterrents or reminders will still be allowed. Hopefully this will strike the right balance in promoting the health and welfare of our furry friends that are so good at getting us out into the fresh air to enjoy it.