THERE are several local battles to be continued, beginning with improved emergency services at

l The return of doctors to the minor injury unit (MIU) during day time is vital. We must persuade the out-of-hours (OOH) service providers and the Acute Trust to combine the MIU and OOH centre so we have a doctor covering both units out of working hours as well..

l Continue to monitor the OOH service so that if after six months of the new provider there are concerns about safety or quality we can force consideration of a change of provider.

l Watch for changes in medical practice and organisation of the NHS that might make possible the return of A&E to Kidderminster.

l Press again for the return of the midwife-led birth centre at Kidderminster. Such units, distant from consultant units, are safe in other parts of the country and there is no reason why our unit should not be re-opened.

l Continue to push for more elective orthopaedic surgery at Kidderminster including provision of a centre, away from the acute hospitals, for all elective surgery for the county.

l Continue to hold to account NHS Worcestershire and the Acute Hospital Trust for the safety and quality of our health care. The recent election of three Health Concern councillors to the shadow Foundation Trust Governing Board will strengthen accountability.

National issues: l On the Health Select Committee I initiated inquiries into value for money in the NHS to show ways that the NHS can cope with the economic downturn without immediate staff cuts and to expose the inadequate testing of European doctors coming to work in this country. It will be crucial to maintain constant pressure.

l I will work towards new inquiries into the NHS complaints process and the effect of the European Working Time Directive on quality of care and junior doctor training.

l I will continue to promote better support for NHS whistle blowers that I started with my Private Member’s Bill that was blocked by filibustering.

l I will press unceasingly for the rapid roll out of the three-digit telephone access number for urgent care, when telephoning 999 is not appropriate. This will direct people to the correct NHS service for their needs.

l I will fight for free prescription charges for those with long-term illnesses as the Government appears to have hidden, since last November, a report that it commissioned about this.