Redditch Backing the NHS

 

Yesterday people queued in the town centre to show their support for the NHS on its 65th Birthday.  A total of 380 people signed the giant birthday card during the four hour street stall.

Rebecca Blake, Labour's Parliamentary Spokesperson said "From children, parents to grandparents and everyone in between, hundreds of people wanted to back the NHS.  Many people said how their lives had been saved by the NHS and wrote messages stating why the NHS was important to them.

"With the challenges we face at the Alex, it is particularly important that people have the opportunity to show their support for the NHS.  We don't simply want to celebrate the past 65 years, we want to send a message that we still need it in the future.

"There were a minority of people who highlighted the problems they had experienced, whether it was accessing mental health services, a reduction in community services or at the hospital.  Making it clear to me that services need improving not cutting and staff need support, not this uncertainty about their jobs".

As well as signing the six foot birthday card, local residents shared their stories of why the NHS is important to them by writing a personal note to Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health.  All responses and the card will be delivered to the Department of Health to show that Redditch not only backs services at the Alex, we also back the NHS - free at the point of use.

 

For more details Redditch Standard Redditch Advertiser

 

 

 



65th Anniversary of the NHS

"The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it" Bevan, 1948.

 

Sign the giant NHS birthday card on  the 65th anniversary of the NHS at the street stall near Three Cooks bakery in the town centre this Friday, 5th July 10.30 - 2.30.

 

Rebecca Blake, Labour's Parliamentary Spokesperson said "After 65 years of the NHS it now faces unprecedented demand, A&E waiting times are at a nine year high and nationally 4000 nurses have been laid off.  I'm reminded of Bevan's words in 1948 when the then Labour Government created the NHS.  "The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it".

"We could be forgiven for taking our NHS for granted, however with A&E and maternity services currently under threat at the Alex, we certainly don't in Redditch.

"I am fearful for the future of our NHS and we have to fight for it.  I welcome people to come and back the NHS this Friday on the 65th anniversary by signing the giant NHS birthday card.  Not only is this a show of support for the service we receive as patients, but it's a show of support for the NHS staff".

 

 

Thanks to Harry and Kara, two of the helpers who have made the giant NHS birthday card.

"The situation in Redditch is in chaos and is a recipe for disaster"

 

Labour Shadow Health Minister brands Alex changes chaotic during public meeting

Rebecca Blake brought Shadow Health Minster Jamie Reed MP to Redditch to listen to local people's concerns on the future of the Alex.

Labour's Rebecca Blake and Jamie Reed MP were on the panel in a public meeting with Ian Dipple from the Save the Alex campaign.

Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Redditch, Rebecca Blake said "I brought Jamie Reed to Redditch to understand how the Tory-led Government's £3.4 billion reorganisation is affecting people in Redditch. 

"These unnecessary delays about whether A&E and Maternity services will remain at Redditch are putting existing services in jeopardy, let alone future services.

"The Conservative Government Minister snubbed residents a few weeks ago. He should have listened to local people. Trying to keep the problems at arms' length, saying it's nothing to do with us, is simply not good enough.

Labour's Jamie Reed spent an hour taking questions from people, then stayed on afterwards to hear people's individual concerns.  The Shadow Health Minster, Jamie Reed MP said "Around the country I am seeing the consequences of an ill thought through, un-mandated reconfiguration of the NHS.

"The situation in Redditch is in chaos and is a recipe for disaster. 

"Evidence suggests it’s not safe to take A&E out of a town like Redditch, at a time of rising admissions.

"Government Ministers must take responsibility."

Details from Redditch Standard

 

  

      

 

 



Redditch Women Supporting Race for Life

Arrow Valley Park was heaving with runners, joggers and walkers on Sunday.  All there to raise money for a cure for all cancers.  With over 1000 people taking part, all for the same cause it was certainly worthwhile.    

The worrying thing is that cancer is on the increase, however the silver lining is that we are now far more likely to survive cancer and it's incredible how far Cancer Research has come since the first race for life in 1994 progress so far

Funding for research is crucial and I was moved by people's stories.  Local sports personality 11 year old Libby Smith racing with SE Davis who together raised £2000, motivated by her aunty having cancer.  Cllr Brunner, walking for her Dad who recently died of Cancer.  Reading the messages on people's backs is very emotional, however, it also gives us another chance to remember the people we have lost.

For me, politics is important including where cancer is concerned.  I am very proud that the last Labour government achieved the target, that people suspected to have cancer by their GP were seen by a specialist within two weeks.  To increase cancer survival rates early diagnosis is key.  I worry about the effects upon cancer because of longer waiting times for GP's & longer waiting times to see specialists that people are now facing. 

Locally I campaigned for the Alex to have the county Radiotherapy Unit because people should not have to travel to Coventry for daily treatment, especially when they may be very ill.  I was disappointed Worcester Royal will have the facility instead of Redditch, however, to have provision closer than Coventry is a vast improvement.

Having walked Race for Life for the first time two years ago with my little brother and jogged this year, I am building up to beating my time next year.  I look forward to joining Redditch women again in the Redditch Race for Life 2014!

Sick of the sight of derelict buildings

 

Rebecca Blake, Labour's Parliamentary Spokesperson has kicked off the debate on town centre development, amidst rumours surrounding the area around the train station.

Rebecca says "The train station is a gateway to our town.  Recently there have been many improvements in the area, including the pedestrian access, landscaping and artwork.  However, I am sick of the sight  of the derelict buildings next to the station, on Bromsgrove Road and Edward Street.

They give a negative image of our town and what's more some of these factories are part of our industrial heritage, yet have become a complete eyesore.  In the week that we have hosted the national bike tour, this is not how we want to greet our visitors.  For all of my life, many of these buildings have been in disrepair and this has been allowed to continue for far too long. 

I want to hear from local people on how they feel this part of our town should be developed.  And I will pass on their views to Redditch Borough Council for consideration". 

Local people and businesses have spoken to Rebecca sharing their concerns about this part of the town centre and that they want the area utilised.  If you would like to share your views on this area of town centre development, visit the website & complete the survey.

www.rebecca-blake.org.uk/survey or for a printed copy call 07529 964 840

For more info

Calls for Government Minister to sort out the mess at the Alex caused by the Department of Health

Ahead of today's Save the Alex rally at the hospital, Rebecca Blake, Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson states "the Government have created a confused landscape within the NHS resulting in a stalemate that puts the future of services at the Alex in jeopardy.

While service providers and GP commissioners fail to bring forward a second option, patients are left to wait longer and longer on trolleys in A&E and hospital staff continue to leave due to the relentless pressure and uncertainty. If these unnecessary delays continue much longer we will have very little services left to save. I'm calling for the Government Minister, who is visiting the Alex today, to sort out the mess at the Alex caused by the Department of Health.

The government set up GP led Clinical Commissioning Groups to buy our hospital services, part of the £3.5 billion reorganisation. The Commissioners want to buy services for patients yet they are being prevented, the new system isn't working. In times of unprecedented demand on the NHS this stalemate is damaging our hospital services.

I'm very cynical about who benefits from the delay and it certainly isn't patients. Whoever provides the services at the Alex, we mustn't forget we're fighting for A&E and maternity to remain in Redditch or I fear lives will be lost".

Universal Credit Hits Workers Hardest

The Government's flagship, Universal Credit, will start this month, rolling out until 2017.  It promises to be simpler and to reward people for going back to work. 

 

However, the Department for Work & Pensions acknowledge that 1.8 million main earners will be worse off if they take on extra hours under Universal Credit than they would have been previously and 300,000 second earners will also be penalised for taking on extra work.

 

Rebecca Blake, Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson stated "Unfortunately Universal Credit has failed before it started.  Not only is Universal Credit running late but it is £100 million over budget already.  And when benefits penalise people doing extra hours and working a second job it's those who work hard who are hit the most.  The benefits system does need changing.  For those who can work, the overhaul we need is a culture of people getting something for doing something rather than getting something for doing nothing.  However, Universal Credit is another example of the government saying one thing and doing another". 

 

The Coalition Government promised to protect the most vulnerable yet disabled people are set to be worse off under Universal Credit.  The decision to make claimants apply via the internet, excludes many people who may have never used a computer or do not have access to one and at the same time, Universal Credit will be paid monthly instead of fortnightly.  The reality of monthly payments will be that families who struggle to put food on the table already will now struggle for even longer periods.