Happy Birthday and Good Health!

In a debate in parliament in June, Fraser Kemp, MP for the North East constituency of Houghton & Washington East, spoke of one of his constituents who will be 100 next year and who said of the NHS that its creation was the best decision any government had ever taken in her lifetime. It took away the fear she had back in the 1930s of having to make health decisions on the basis of whether she had £2 to call the doctor rather than whether she needed help.

We in the Labour Party are all immensely proud that it was a Labour government who took that decision and created the National Health Service 60 years ago today in the face of opposition from the Conservatives.

Councillor Tom Hanson remembers...

Labour councillor for Bamber Bridge West ward, Tom Hanson, also celebrates his birthday in the same week as the NHS. However, he was born in 1930 and so remembers what it was like before anyone had access to health care free at the point of need. Doctors had to be paid or poor people had to rely on the chemist for minor ailments and children died of diphtheria, consumption (Tuberculosis) and scarlet fever.

Tom helped his local Labour Party in the 1945 elections which saw Labour swept to power in an historic landslide. Surveys of the time (they had polls then too!) showed that the Labour Party was most trusted by the public to implement the proposals of the Beveridge Report which included the creation of a National Health Service.

A most civilised step

On 5th July 1948 Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan as health Minister symbolically received the keys of Park Hospital (now Trafford General Hospital) to mark the birth of the NHS right here in the North West.

This famous picture of the occasion shows Sylvia Diggory (nee Beckingham) age 13, the first NHS patient. Later in life she recalled:

"Mr Bevan asked me if I understood the significance of the occasion and told me that it was a milestone in history - the most civilised step any country had ever taken, and a day I would remember for the rest of my life - and of course, he was right."

Tories' wrong medicine for NHS

Health Minister Alan Johnson recalls what the Conservatives' Patient's Charter promised for care:

"The 1995 version of the Charter gave a waiting time guarantee of 18 months. We now have a maximum waiting time of just 18 weeks, and many areas are way below that. The 1995 document states: 'In addition, you can expect treatment within one year for coronary artery bypass grafts and some associated procedures.' A year for a life-saving bypass? That's unthinkable now, with waits down to no more than a few weeks.

On its 50th anniversary commentators were talking of the demise of the NHS. It took a Labour government once again to rescue it from 18 years of Tory under-funding.

The Future of the NHS

Read all about the Next Stage Review which sets out the future direction for the NHS and have your say on a new NHS Constitution.

The proposed NHS Constitution is about safeguarding its core principles and values for the next generation, while setting a clear direction for the future. Consultation ends 18th October 2008.

Read Manchester MP Tony Lloyd's moving tribute to the NHS in parliament on the 3rd July here.

Priceless!

Money and politics is once again a toxic mix. One which many commentators agree that some in the media are only too happy to stir.

Recently it was reported that Tory MEP Den Dover, once an MP for neighbouring Chorley, was sacked as chief whip of the Tories in the European Parliament amid allegations of inappropriate use of expenses. He is alleged to have paid large amounts of public money to a company comprised of his wife and daughter for secretarial work. The company also donated money to the Conservative Party. There have also been questions raised about the purchase of cars and building work to one of his homes.

Another MEP, Sir Robert Atkins, former Tory MP for South Ribble, has also been criticised for using public money for a trip to America to visit Republican politicians but during which he also attended his son's wedding.

Alan Duncan exposed

While David Cameron is keen to appear to be supporting more transparency his Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Alan Duncan (pictured left) was busy trying to dodge being asked questions about reports of donations to him from an oil tycoon.

Here is journalist Peter Oborne's account of what he witnessed prior to a recent Andrew Marr show (June 22) on which he and Duncan were guests:

"Both Alan Duncan and I were guests last Sunday on BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.

Before the programme went on air, Duncan approached Marr and attempted to make sure he didn't ask him any questions concerning a story in one of that day's newspapers relating to his oil interests.

'There's been an exchange of legal letters you know, better not go there,' was the thrust of Duncan's remarks.

To his credit, Marr insisted on putting the matter to Duncan in the studio, even though the answers he received were unsatisfactory."

It was painful to watch him squirm as he realised he'd been sprung live on TV. It was indeed priceless!

Whether the allegations around the donations are true or not he was clearly less than transparent not only in his unwillingness to publicly account for himself but also, according to Oborne, in actively seeking not to be called to account yet Cameron seems not to have noticed.

Labour introduced transparency rules

In any walk of life there will be a few bad apples who get the rest a bad name. Most politicians at all levels of government are honest and hard-working. Some of the cases which appear in the news will simply be as a result of administrative errors yet the media swirl around them make it impossible for them to continue.

It was the Labour Party in government who introduced the rules around declaring donations in a bid to bring more transparency into politics. They also introduced the Freedom of Information Act. Never before has the interested citizen had such access to so much information.

We need to go further

As many MPs across all parties predicted whichever way they had voted on their pay and expenses the media coverage would have been universally negative which it was.

There were some more measured reporters who suggested that if you actually look at the points put forward in the debate many were quite reasonable.

For example, they rejected a system of external auditors because of the high cost of fees -£1000+ per day- which the taxpayer would be paying, in favour of an internal audit system which will see all receipts for claims of £25 or over published from October offering more transparency.

Media reports also give the impression that MPs are busy leafing through a John Lewis catalogue picking out new furniture. The so-called 'John Lewis List' was unknown to MPs before it was published by a national newspaper earlier this year. The list is something which parliament's financial administrators use behind the scenes as a yardstick for assessing MPs claims for help with the additional costs of setting up a second home.

Peter Kilfoyle remembers the days when poorer MPs used to sleep on the floors of parliamentary offices and argues that having the Additional Costs Allowance means that people from all backgrounds are not excluded by the sheer expense of having to run two homes -one in London as well as their home in the constituency.

Kerry McCarthy also gives an account of what her vote meant.

Locally, Conservative Councillor Mike France complained that he is out of pocket as a councillor.

Less focus in the media has been given to the fact that MPs rejected a proposal to raise their salaries by up to 2.3% this year and 4.7% next year. Instead they voted for a below inflation 2.25% pay rise this year and did not take up the recommendation of a "catch-up" payment of £650 a year for the next three years.

However, Gordon Brown has said that although "We voted to keep MPs' pay down... now we must look at the issue of expenses and accountability again.'

Democracy valued

While people around the world pay with their lives in the struggle for democracy, including our soldiers serving abroad, we are able to vote freely. It is important that we have confidence in our democratic process.

The more citizens directly engage in the political process the more they will be able to see first hand how power is exercised on their behalf.

There's plenty to see at www.parliament.uk, www.lancashire.gov.uk and www.southribble.gov.uk

A free media can also act as a check on government and corporate power but as the filter through which the nation gets its news it also wields power and it has its role to play in improving the health of our democracy by reporting that is balanced and proportionate.

Carers Week and a strategy for the next 10 years

Carers in the area took a break from their caring responsibilities to enjoy health and relaxation activities during National Carers Week which was held 9-15th June.

Government action for carers
The government has listened to what carers and carer's organisations have been saying and during Carers Week published its updated Carers Strategy for the next 10 years which includes a pledge to double the money for care services which allow carers to take a break, a full review of carers' benefits, support to help carers access or return to work, a national carers helpline, identification and support for young carers, pilots for annual health checks for carers and training for GPs so that they are better able to identify carers and the extra help they may need.

Carers UK welcomed the strategy as an "important step forward for carers, backed up with over £255 million of new investment and groundbreaking initiatives."

Charnley Fold, Bamber Bridge
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis MP recently opened a new centre for dementia care and older people's mental health needs at Charnley Fold in Bamber Bridge.

He was delighted with the new centre as he explained at the official opening:

“In an ageing population, providing excellent quality care for older people with mental health needs is one of the greatest challenges facing the NHS and social care system. There are currently an estimated 570,000 people with dementia in England, and this figure is expected to double in the next 30 years. That is why last Thursday I announced the first ever national dementia strategy to improve the lives of people living with dementia. I am delighted that Charnley Fold is now open to serve the growing needs of the local community.”

The facility is a response to the increase in the number of older people with mental health needs such as dementia in the area and has been developed with £1.5 million of joint investment by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Central Lancashire PCT and Lancashire County Council.

The centre is a good example of otherwise seperate services being joined up. Lancashire Care, Lancashire County Council, Central Lancashire PCT, Age Concern and the Alzheimer's Society are working together to provide the new services which include:

· A ground-breaking health and wellbeing centre and support service for older people provided by voluntary sector organisations. This includes advice, information, a carer's café and carer support services
· A flexible care service to work with people and their carers at an early stage of being diagnosed with dementia
· A community based assessment, diagnostic and treatment service
· Specialist staff including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other therapists who provide a range of support services in the local community
· An enhanced day care service for older people with complex needs
· Training facilities for staff who work with older people

More help for disabled children and their families
Also recently Labour peers Lord Rix and Lord Adonis made an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill, currently going through Parliament, which will place a duty on local authorities to provide short breaks for disabled children and their families. Last year the government also announced £280 million over three years to increase the availability of short breaks for disabled children and their families.

Labour cares for carers
Labour has a strong record in recognising and supporting carers needs. It was a Labour MP, Malcolm Wicks, who first gained legal recognition for carers and their right to have their needs assessed in 1995. Another Labour MP, Tom Pendry won further rights to services for carers and in 2004 Hywel Francis MP introduced legislation which aimed to enable carers to take up opportunities which those without caring responsibilities take for granted, such as education, leisure or work. Labour has also introduced the right to request flexible working for carers.

Have your say on future care policies
An ageing population means that in 20 years' time a quarter of the adult population will be over 65 and the number of people over 85 will have doubled.

The growth in the number of people with care and support needs will put increasing pressure both on services and on the financial support received through benefits and other funding.

Visit www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk to have your say on what a future care and support system should look like and how it should be paid for.

The government is also consulting on the more specific development of a National Dementia Strategy and invites everyone to give their views on the ideas set out in the 'Transforming the quality of dementia care' document, as well as contribute new ideas to the debate. The consultation runs from 19 June to 11 September 2008.

Help available for carers locally
If you are a carer, you can find out what help may be available to you locally here .

Knight amazed by Leyland history

The Leyland Guardian has been reporting on the rise, fall and rise again of a historic sports centre in Leyland

Steve Knight, project manager overseeing the construction of a new fitness centre on the site of the old Leyland Motors Social & Athletic Club was impressed at the turnout as the club was finally demolished.

"I was amazed at how many people showed up with their cameras. They were all talking about it, how it had 10,000 members and a lot had their 21st birthdays or got married there.

It's an institution and I found it incredible how many people have an association with it.

Of course a lot of people worked for Leyland Motors and the building touched everybody in Leyland."

Leyland councillor Fred Heyworth had a 47 year association with the club. He told the Leyland Guardian:

"Every summer they had a sports day, literally hundreds would come. It was a hub of the community and was packed out every Saturday. It was quite a happy situation in those days, alas that is no longer the case.

It's sad that it's gone but these last few years it was in a state of disrepair."

It may have been demolished but it will live on not only in local people's memories but the bricks of the old building will be crushed into suitable material for use in the foundations of the new.

On TV

Regrettably, and for political purposes, a misleading statistic as to the number and context of CCTV cameras in the UK has been used to inform debate nationally on such matters.

A figure of 1 camera for every 14 members of the public has been used to scaremonger about a 'Big Brother' state. The figure was arrived at by applying the estimated number of cameras in two busy streets in London to the rest of the UK. These figures included not just those cameras in public spaces but all such security cameras in private businesses which have nothing to do with the state or government at all.

Leyland cameras
Thankfully Leyland residents have a more sensible approach to cameras. When consulted residents have said that they want Leyland to be a safe and welcoming environment.

Cameras which produce high quality images installed at Earnshaw Bridge have improved what was previously a problem hotspot for anti-social behaviour. Local businesses, residents and the police report how quiet the area is now.

Bannister Brook, Centurion Way, Leyland Market and parts of Hough Lane are now to receive the same protection with new cameras linked directly to police.

Meanwhile Councillors Anne Brown and Fred Heyworth have been active in acheiving a 'No Cold Calling Area' for residents of Welsby Road and Yarrow Road.

This gives residents some deterrence against bogus callers and doorstep sellers and enables the more vulnerable members of the community to say no to cold callers and call on community support to assist them when necessary. Read more about such schemes here.

More hi-tech and high praise for Lancashire Police
There was good news in May as Lancashire learned it is to be one of 27 police forces to receive money from central government for new handheld computers.

This will allow police officers to record any necessary details right there and then out on the beat giving more time on patrol for officers, increased police visibility and reassurance for communities.

Flanagan Review of Policing
The use of such technology implements recommendations made by Sir Ronnie Flanagan, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, who was tasked last year by the Home Secretary with conducting an independent and comprehensive review of policing. He was asked to focus on the four key issues of how to reduce bureaucracy in the police, making progress on Neighbourhood Policing, ensuring that there is sufficient local involvement and local accountability for policing, and how the police service can manage its resources effectively.

The Home Secretary welcomed Sir Ronnie's reports and the recommendations giving her 'clearest endorsement' and a mandate for swift action.

Neighbourhood Policing
Already, action taken on the findings and recommendations are beginning to be seen. The Flanagan report spoke of the success of earlier initiatives such as 'Neighbourhood Policing' - this brings together a team of officers and Police Community Support Officers who work together with local people to identify local priorities, listening to them and ensuring their concerns are met through local agreements.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams are now in place in every area with named officers contactable by phone or through community meetings.

"Praise for our prompt police"
A letter-writer to the Lancashire Evening Post recently praised the response of their local team as one of "a very responsive and professional police force." Read the full letter here.

Neighbourhood Policing in our area
You can read about Neighbourhood Policing and find out who the team is for your postcode area here.