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Tory MP Simon Jupp lies about NHS problems in Devon
Jupp said on Spotlight just now that NHS Devon’s financial crisis is ‘of its own making’. This makes me so angry – it’s not only because HIS Tory government has given Devon a smaller share of NHS spending than it should get, it’s also – and mainly – because they same government underfunded the whole NHS for nearly fourteen years.
Yet Mr Jupp can stand there and smugly blame the managers. How can they provide proper services if they’re starved of the funds they need to do it?
Richard Foord MP presents Seaton Hospital petitions to Parliament
Yesterday Richard presented our petitions, already submitted to NHS Devon, to Parliament, to remind the government of the importance of finding an acceptable solution to this issue. He said:
‘I rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of the Axe valley, and the towns of Seaton, Beer, Colyford and the surrounding area, who are objecting in the strongest possible terms to the disposal of an entire wing of Seaton Community Hospital. The petition has been signed by over 9,000 of my constituents, because they object to the fact that the hospital, which was funded by generous local donations, is being ripped away from them, and in part potentially sold off by NHS Property Services, and disposed of for potential sale for housing.
‘The petition states:
‘The petition of residents of Axe Valley in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency,
‘Declares that community hospitals play a vital role supporting health and wellbeing in rural communities;
further that the hospital in Seaton was built with active support and fundraising efforts by residents across the Axe Valley;
and further that plans to turn the wing of the hospital building over to NHS Property Services puts the future viability of the hospital at risk.
‘The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of petitioners and take action to return the facility to the local community, so it can be repurposed to provide better care for those living in the area.’
Richard Foord puts the Prime Minister on the spot over air strikes
He asks a very reasonable question but gets an evasive reply. Richard Foord Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence) There are times when a Government need to take military action without the approval of Parliament, including for operational security or the element of surprise. However, last week’s strikes were signalled very plainly in the media. The strikes…
— Read on eastdevonwatch.org/2024/01/17/richard-foord-puts-the-prime-minister-on-the-spot/
New poll shows tactical voting only way to keep Tories from returning in our area
A YouGov survey, the most detailed in five years, predicts that Conservatives will retain just 169 seats as Labour sweeps to power with 385. However our new constituency, Honiton & Sidmouth, is slated to be captured by the Tories, who would oust Richard Foord, our excellent new MP.
In my opinion the poll doesn’t take proper account of local conditions, since Labour and Reform are allocated more votes – based on national trends – then is likely to happen.
But it shows that there should be no complacency: if we want our area to be part of the big change which is coming when the Tories are ousted. we need to rally behind Richard. Every Labour or Green vote will risk Simon Jupp taking over.
— Read on www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/01/14/general-election-poll-tories-worst-defeat-1997-labour/
Richard Foord’s campaign launched this morning
Richard with Claire Wright and me before the start of the today’s event in Ottery St Mary. Getting on for a hundred people were there. More to follow.
Check out our constituency in Labour’s list of ‘non-battleground seats’
You can check the list HERE. This is Labour’s official list of where it isn’t aiming to win. Effectively, it’s a guide to where to vote LIB DEM in this year’s General Election, including our constituency (Honiton & Sidmouth, which includes Seaton and Axminster), where the progressive choice will be our current MP, RICHARD FOORD.
Seaton Hospital wing was NOT handed back on 31 December
Happy New Year. Here’s the latest from the Hospital campaign:
Just before Christmas, Devon NHS’s board told us that it had postponed its handover of part of Seaton Hospital to the Property Services company, which was due to have happened on 31st December.
- The delay came after we asked for the original report that the board had approved. We found that it referred only to the ‘former ward accommodation’ – the ground floor of the wing that they want to hand over – and NOT the wing as a whole, including first floor spaces which the NHS are still using (see photo). We pointed out that they therefore did not have authority to dispose of the whole wing.
We were also disturbed to see that the report claimed:
- ‘The One Public Estate function hosted by Devon County Council are supportive of a disposal and have offered financial support of up to £20k per unit through the Brownfield Land Funding scheme to help with feasibility studies should a disposal result in housing units being developed.’
One Public Estate links public sector bodies’ estate policies, and what they have told me is rather different:
- ‘Devon and Torbay OPE Partnership has not had informal or formal conversations about the disposal of parts of Seaton Hospital.’ – I am asking Devon NHS what’s been going on.
The way forward:
- Our Seaton Hospital Steering Committee is moving ahead with work on how to use any spaces which are eventually handed back to NHS Property Services.
- Devon Health Scrutiny Committee is expecting to hear back from the Devon NHS board and Property Services at its meeting on 24 January. We will be discussing the agenda before the meeting with East Devon councillors who are members of the Committee.
Still spaces for the FREE 3 Course Christmas Day community meal at Pebbles
There are still spaces for the FREE 3 Course Christmas Day community meal being hosted by Pebbles Coffee House – Seaton at 12.30pm. If you’d like to go or know someone who might, please phone Pebbles on 441970 – they are waiting for you! Merry Christmas.
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 