Adrian Sanders

MP applauds major breakthrough for South West healthcare service

Adrian Sanders MP has signed a Parliamentary Motion congratulating NHS South West Specialised Commissioning Group on its announcement of a new £1 million investment into neuromuscular services for children and adults living across the South West of England.

This fantastic success is the result of a sustained campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and supported by local families, healthcare professionals and parliamentarians, like Adrian Sanders living and working in the South West, over the past year.

The South West campaign started in December 2007 when the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign published a hard hitting report,'Building on the Foundations', which uncovered major shortfalls in the provision of specialist care in the South West of England. The report revealed survival for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was an average of 18-years-old in the South West compared with 30 years in the North East of England.

The investment, agreed to by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the South West, comes after proposals by the SW Specialised Commissioning Group for a Managed Clinical Network across the region.

The Managed Clinical Network will be a £1 million investment, divided between all PCTs in the region with the contribution weighted on population. It includes the recruitment of the following posts:

• 2 full-time adult consultants specialising in muscle disease

• 1 full-time paediatric consultant specialising in muscle disease

• 3.5 specialist physiotherapists

• 3 full-time care advisors (for children and adults)

• 1 psychologist

• respiratory and cardiac support

The service will be phased in over a period of two years, beginning in April 2009. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, families and health professionals will all be involved in the implementation process. The cost for each PCT to implement the network will amount to less than £9 per person each month.

Approximately 1 in 1,000 people in Adrian Sanders MP's constituency of Torbay are affected by muscular dystrophy or a related neuromuscular condition.

Commenting on the sucessful outcome, Sharon Kitcher, campaigner and mother of a boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said:

"The success in the South West illustrates the power of campaigning, and the value of families and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign working together. Too often families are missing out on specialist care and support, and many people like me are being forced to travel to centres in Oswestry and Oxford just to receive the specialist care we need. We need our services to be delivered closer to home by experts who really understand our conditions. This is something the NHS should provide, so I am thrilled with the decision!"

Signing the Parliamentary Motion, Adrian, said: "I am delighted for my constituents living with muscle disease and I congratulate the families and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for leading this successful campaign."

"Disabled patients all over the country have a right to expect fair and equal access to vital services and I am pleased that the OCTs in the South West. We are delighted that the partnership between the NHS, families and health professionals has produced such an important result.

Philip Butcher, Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, commented on the announcement: "This is a momentous decision for patients and families living in the South West. We are delighted that the partnership between the NHS, families and health professionals has produced such an important result."

"We are committed to working with our families and at all levels of the NHS and Government to ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care and support. PCTs in the South West have set an example to Health Authorities across the country - we are now calling on all other regions in England to follow their lead and carry out reviews of specialist care."

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for 50 years, and it is dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease.

It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equiptment.

MP calls on Torbay to switch off for WWF's Earth Hour

Adrian Sanders took time out from his parliamentary work on Wednesday 11 March to support WWF's Earth Hour by turning off a giant light switch.

Adrian commented: "More needs to be done to tackle issues of environmental sustainability and I fully support the WWF campaign. The long term effects of climate change remain unclear but it is certain that the rapid inductrialisation of India, China and much of the developing world will have a serious on the global environment."

Earth Hour is a huge global switch off for one hour on the 28th March to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change at the UN conference in Copenhagen this year. WWF's Earth Hour aims to inspire a billion people in 1,000 cities to show global support for action on climate change. So far more than 1000 cities in 84 countries have signed up including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast in the UK.

Many iconic landmarks will be switching off their lights such as Nelson's Column in London, the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House and Paris' Eiffel Tower. Former Spice Girl Mel C, Cate Blanchett and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have all lent their voices to Earth Hour's global call for action on climate change.

WWF is encouraging Torbay Council to join the big switch off by dimming and switching off lights of civic buildings and iconic landmarks. Restaurants and bars are asked to get involved by holding candlelit dinners on the night and members of the public can also hold their own events such as lights out parties. People can sign up to support WWF's Earth Hour by visiting wwf.org.uk/earthhour or by texting Earth to 84880.

Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF UK, said: "We are delighted that Adrian Sanders is backing WWF's Earth Hour. Negotiations for a global deal to tackle climate change are going on right now and it is essential that politicians demand the UK Government takes a strong leadership position."

"We want to create a groundswell of support and this is a chance for the people of Torbay to be part of a global action on climate change. Global leaders meet at the UN conference in Copenhagen later this year to determine how the world will work together to tackle climate change in future. A billion people across the globe turning their lights off sends a loud and clear message to politicians that they must make it happen."

Sign up and spread the word about WWF's Earth Hour and downloadable posters, light switch covers, Earth Hour toolkits and more at: wwf.org.uk/earthhour

Steep Rise in Unemployment

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is today calling on the Government to do more to help local economies following today's unemployment figures were released.

Torbay suffered heavily, with a rise of 350 unemployed in the last month, taking the total to 2820, almost 5% of the workforce. With 313 jobs on offer in Torbay jobcentres, there are now 9 jobseekers for every job on offer, compared to 2 this time last year.

Across Devon and Cornwall unemployment rose 4316 to 31472.

Adrian said: "So many Government initiatives have been announced in recent weeks and months but only one - the VAT cut - has been implemented. Action is needed now to help small businesses as well as getting money into the pockets of low and middle income families."

"While bank bailouts and international moves to prevent further catastrophes are necessary, the Government is ignoring the impact of the recession on the general public."

"There are now fewer jobs in Torbay and more people competing for them; it is clear some radical and creative solutions are needed to tackle this problem."

Government Must Keep Data Safe

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay today quizzed Justice Minister Michael Wills MP in the House of Commons over the Government's plans for greater data sharing powers. The question comes after several Torbay residents contacted Adrian, concerned that the Government's recent careless approach to data management would bring further disaster with wider powers to disseminate personal information.

Adrian welcomed the dropping of clause 152 of the Coroners' and Justice Bill, which would have allowed the Government to share data between any public or private body as it wished and with little consultation.

Adrian said: "Some greater data sharing can be incredibly useful, in tackling child protection issues for example. The Government's plans to increase data sharing capabilities across any number of bodies do, however, need serious restriction to these particular cases only."

"Thankfully the Minister did restate his commitment to rethink these data protection proposals and I would urge everyone who wants their data to remain safe to make their views known to the Ministry for Justice."

Post Bank the Way Forward - Jobs and Secure Finance for Torbay

The launch today of the Post Bank coalition could save the UK's Post Office network and bring back public confidence in the banking system according to Torbay MP Adrian Sanders.

Banking through the Post Office would bring back the community bank, providing reliable and responsible services for local people without the risks of profit-oriented banks. Such schemes work sucessfully in France, Italy, Germany and other countries.

Adrian said: "The South West has been hit very hard by recent Post Office closures. While here in Torbay we were able to save two post offices last year, so many places have not been so lucky."

"Bringing more financial services to the network will ensure the safety of existing branches and will lead to closed branches re-opening."

"What we need now is support from local councils, regional bodies and central Government to make this scheme a reality."

MPs show support for Youth Parliament

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed the outcome of yesterday's late vote in the House of Commons to allow the UK Youth Parliament to hold its annual meeting for 2009 in the House of Commons Chamber.

The UK Youth Parliament is run by the 11-18 year-olds who make up its elected representatives. The UKYP allows its more than 500 MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and Deputy MYPs to think creatively and use their voice to bring about social change.

The vote held yesterday saw a result of 205-16 in favour of allowing the UKYP to use the Chamber. This marks a significant step forward in recognising the importance of the UKYP and the seriousness of MPs in promoting the increased political engagement of young people.

Last year the UKYP met in the Chamber of the House of Lords to discuss recycling, a national transport concession card for under-18s, the abolition of university tuition fees, representation of young people in the media, lowering the voting age to 16 and the age of adulthood.

Adrian commented: "I am thrilled that common sense has prevailed and that MPs have decided to let the UKYP use the Commons' Chamber to hold their annual meeting."

"I think that it is important to illustrate that we are supportive of all measures to further engage young people with the political process. It is an excellent opportunity for the UKYP and can only be beneficial to democracy in this country."

More support for visually impaired essential

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders will be supporting amendments in the Welfare Reform Bill, being debated in the House of Commons tomorrow, to bring more support to blind and seriously visually impared people.

The amendments, if passed, will allow those with severe sight loss to access some of £45million of funding to receive the higher rate if Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility.

This would translate to an extra £29 a week for blind people, enabling them to be more mobile, enjoying everyday activities like shopping, attending training courses and meeting friends.

Around 150 people in Torbay alone would benefit while over 1300 would be eligible in the South West.

Adrian commented: "Many with little or no sight in Torbay and the South West suffer from mobility problems. We do not have the most extensive public transport network and the loss of carers passes in Torbay leaves many struggling to get about. This modest increase in funding will go a long way to improving the situation."

South Devon MPs experience revolutionary new sight screening technology that could save constituents' sight

To mark World Glaucoma Day, Thursday 12 March, MPs Richard Younger-Ross and Adrian Sanders joined the RNIB and researchers from Moorfield's Eye Hospital (London) at a parliamentary reception where exciting new technology under development was revealed that will improve access to potentially sight saving tests for glaucoma.

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of preventable blindness. It is estimated there are 67 million glaucoma sufferers in the world, but over 50% are undiagnosed, rising to 90% in the developing world. 500,000 people are affected in the UK but half are not receiving treatment because they are unaware they have the disease.

The aim of this new test is to improve global glaucoma detection. Designed to be effective, affordable and accessible to all, the test software in development will run on a standard PC or laptop. Eventually, it is hoped that it will also be made available online, enabling clinicians from all over the world, including those in developing countries, to use it.

Richard Younger-Ross said: "I urge local people to have an eye test and ensure they are not one of the quarter of a million people in the UK with undiagnosed Glaucoma."

Adrian added: "Without an eye test you won't find out until it's too late, as Glaucoma doesn't have any symptoms in its early stages and you can lose up to 40% of your sight before realising anything is wrong."

Steve Winyard, RNIB's Head of Campaigns and Chair of the Glaucoma Alliance UK, said: "If caught early enough glaucoma can in nearly all cases be successfully treated and no sight need be lost. A regular simple eye test can pick up glaucoma in its early stages before you know that anything is wrong. That's why, alongside all the other organisations in the Glaucoma Alliance, we are encouraging everyone to book an eye test."

Many people are entitled to receive free eye tests. People who are over 40 and have a close relative with Glaucoma, have diabetes, are aged 60 or over, or who themselves or their partner receive benefits, family credit, pension credit.

For more information about glaucoma, visit www.rnib.org.uk or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. For more information about World Glaucoma Day, go to http://wgday.net/index.php

Fuel Poverty Scheme Reaches Thousands - But More Can Be Done

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has hailed the contribution of the Warmfront scheme to alleviating fuel poverty in the Bay. To date 4917 households have benefited from grants for insulation, new heating systems and energy efficiency measures.

Local residents have been able to save up to £600 a year as a result of the grants, which can give up to £2700 for gas power and insulation and up to £4000 for oil heating systems.

Adrian commented: "This represents over £5.5million of investment in Torbay and when the process goes smoothly, it has so many benefits. In an age of rocketing fuel bills, energy efficiency schemes like this are crucial."

More can be done to tackle fuel poverty. Not all households currently eligible have explored their options, and Adrian is urging constituents to see what they could gain by calling Warmfront on 0800 316 6014.

Adrian has also been calling on the Government to expand the scheme to include families that are on low incomes but do not receive benefits as well addressing the administrative problems that occasionally affect the grant process.

Adrian added: "There is so much more that can be done. The Government needs to iron out the bidding process as many people in the Bay have complained that contractors are overcharging for labour, therefore taking more public money and forcing many families to add an extra contribution out of their own funds."

"Overall the scheme is a step in the right direction. So many vulnerable households have benefited from this. This needs extending and improving. With low wages in Torbay, more homeowners and tenants can barely afford these upgrades, which save money in fuel bills and are good for the environment. I will be pressing Ministers for more investment, moving into areas such as microtechnology and renewable energy."

Adrian Sanders on the UK Youth Parliament

Adrian Sanders MP for Torbay supports calls to allow the UKYP to use the Commons chamber.