Over recent weeks I have been contacted by a number of concerned residents about the closure of the Carfax Medical Walk In Centre.
These changes are clinician led and follow the opening of the new Urgent Treatment Centre at the Great Western Hospital. I have spent a long time discussing these changes with Gill May, Chief Nurse of our local Clinical Commissioning Group, who is in charge of these changes and I also raised the matter on Monday during a meeting with Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England.
I have been assured that all the current services will be replicated and in particular, the homeless will continue to be registered with Carfax surgery and will be able to access services in the Town Centre. The pharmacy will also continue to offer a needle exchange programme.
I will continue to discuss options with the CCG and the GWH, including potential additional walk in services at the Moredon Medical Centre and in West Swindon.
Last Saturday I joined local community champion, Karen Davison-Renouf, Old Town Borough Councillor, Nick Burns-Howell, and Conservative Police & Crime Commissioner candidate, Jonathon Seed, in talking to residents about proposed changes to parking in Old Town.
One proposed change that some local businesses have asked for is the provision of free one-hour daytime parking in all Old Town carparks, to increase footfall. This change would be possible, but it would require a small increase in other parking charges.
Please get in touch with me or Karen via [email protected] if you would like to discuss the proposed changes.
This Friday I will be attending the first meeting of the Town’s Fund Board. This meeting follows the news that Swindon is one of 100 towns across the country that will benefit from a £25 million fund made available from this Conservative government.
The announcement was made after a long campaign by Swindon Borough Council, myself and others to get our Town on the list and I agree with my Cabinet Colleague, the Local Government Secretary, who said that ensuring prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.
I look forward to the meeting on Friday and working closely with the Council, local businesses & organisation and local residents on the exciting projects this funding can support.
On Saturday I will be holding a drop-in surgery in the Sunshine Room of Westlea Primary School between 10:00 and 12:00. If you have any local or national issues, I will be happy to do what I can to help. You do not need to book an appointment as I will see residents on a first come first served basis for approximately 5 to 10 minutes each.
I am aware that some matters will be sensitive and will require more private and more in-depth discussion than a public surgery will allow, so I will have members of my constituency office team with me, who can make the necessary arrangements for a further appointment or discussion.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to get in touch with me, either now or in the future, please get in contact via either 01793 533393 or [email protected].
