A gloriously sunny Bank Holiday weekend nicely punctuated the end of a very busy month for me.
Compassionate care and provision for vulnerable older people have continued to be major priorities for me, taking up a great deal my time in the department as well as being the subject of my public speeches. I was delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Sir Mike Richards (http://www.cqc.org.uk/media/professor-sir-mike-richards-will-be-new-chief-inspector-hospitals) as our new Chief Inspector of Hospitals. He is an inspiring leader whose contribution to our health system is already extraordinary.
We have also been supporting our hard-working A&E staff who week after week are ensuring our hospitals meet national targets on waiting times despite growing pressures. It was helpful to get a sense of the challenges and support required from dedicated clinicians on the front line, including at the Royal Surrey where I spent a couple of hours working alongside Jo Shelton an Associate Nurse Practitioner a few days ago. I will soon be visiting Frimley Park A&E which I know will be an equally informative experience.
We have also published data, highlighting the shocking variations in mortality (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/local-variation-in-avoidable-death-rates-revealed) between local areas. I was shocked by the size of the differences which exist, even between areas with similar demographics. In Surrey we have much to be proud of and I want all areas to consider how to raise health and wellbeing locally.
Earlier on in May I had the pleasure of meeting some very bright and engaging 6th Form and undergraduate students, our future 2015
voters, at The University of Surrey, George Abbott School in Guildford and Farnham College (pictured above with students and Tutor Marco Bilyk). Each visit was extremely enjoyable and it was clear just how motivated and politically aware the students were. Contrary to what many assume to be a politically apathetic generation, I find that many young people today are fully engaged with politics and care deeply about local and national issues. I was very impressed by their questions (sometimes very hard hitting!) and I'm sure that many of those I met will go on to have successful careers within politics.
I was delighted to be invited again to speak at The Haslemere Festival. This year I was asked to talk about my roles at both the DCMS and Department of Health. It was great to see some of the local Olympic volunteers in the audience and reflect upon what was an incredible Summer in 2012 and the wonderful events which took place within South West Surrey. I'm extremely committed to ensuring that the Olympic legacy is kept alive locally and continue to support organisations, sporting events and activities within the community. Inevitably, I was asked many questions about the NHS and it was clear that for many in the audience good quality hospital and extended care locally is a high priority. The community are, understandably, very protective of Haslemere Hospital in this regard and keen to see it re-open as soon as possible and I am delighted to say that Virgin Care have confirmed that the hospital is due to open again later this month with all patients relocated back by mid-July.
It was fantastic to be able to support The Prostate Project at their recent Men's Health Awareness day event at Royal Surrey County Hospital. The Godalming based charity, headed by Colin Stokes, has over the years raised a remarkable £6million and it has been a vital component in the Royal Surrey achieving ‘Centre of Excellence’ status in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. More than 10,000 men die every year in the UK from prostate cancer and the work that the charity undertakes to raise awareness locally is invaluable. The Charity is now busy focussing on raising money to fund the building of a model NHS Urology Centre at the Royal Surrey that will rank amongst the most advanced in Europe and I wish them every success.