Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen talking to the Prime Minister

Last year the National Health Service celebrated sixty years since its creation.

The brainchild of William Beveridge, Liberal MP for Berwick upon Tweed and introduced by fiery Welsh MP Nye Bevan the NHS remains the jewel in the crown.

Whilst Barrack Obama is struggling in the USA to get agreement on a national health insurance policy all three political parties remained totally committed to a Health Service that is free at the point of delivery.

That does not mean that there are not differences of opinion on how the Health Service should be run.

The reconfiguration and downgrading of the Infirmary and loss of local services at hospitals throughout the country by this Government is a case in point. Both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have opposed the closure of maternity and children’s services throughout the country.

This week has seen the transfer of the ‘Walk in Centre to A&E'. In the middle of the swine flu epidemic, I cannot think of a decision designed to put already overstretched services under more pressure.

What is not in question is the total dedication and commitment of Health Service staff. This has been brought home to me recently as while I was away, my Mum had to go into the Infirmary for an operation. Mr Salamon and the nursing staff on Spartfield were fantastic and Mum is full of praise for them.

Earlier this week I visited Sir Cyril who is in Stonehill. He is making steady progress and was his usual self when I saw him.

Dedication of a different sort was visible when I visited Kenya recently. Back in 1992 together with Councillor David Williams and Mayor and Mayoress Tony and Joan Heaford, I visited Marigat where a team of Catholic nuns of the Franciscan Order of St. Joseph - founded by Rochdale lass, Alice Ingham - work. I’ve been going there ever since and was able to spend a few days with Fr Peter and the Sisters.

Though all the British Sisters including Sister Maureen from St Johns are now in the UK the work continues.

It is a hard life with drought, famine and disease frequent visitors.

I called to see the new classrooms which Terry Mason and I had held a fundraiser for at the India Lounge earlier this year.

Sister Medrine, the Sister in charge was full of praise for the many Rochdale people who have supported them over the years.

Unfortunately because of the drought the school had been forced to close early.

A report published while I was there estimated that Kenyan citizens have the least amount of water available of any country in the world. They are having a fierce debate about combating climate change similar to the discussions here in the UK.

This week has seen the publication of A Level results and a report showing that the number of NEETS (young people not in education and training aged 18-24) had risen by over 100,000.

It is an anxious time for young people and their parents and if any of you have results this week I wish you well.

I have had an excellent response to my recent survey of young people in Rochdale and it’s clear that they are proud of our town and want to play a key part in shaping our future.

Another report by Government Watchdog, the Audit Commission on how Councils are helping their areas deal with the recession praises Rochdale Council for the work it is doing. Over the last few months officers like Andy Zuntz and Penny Sharpe and Councillors like Mohammad Sharif and Greg Couzens have worked hard to make a difference. There is a long way to go but I’m glad their work is receiving national recognisation.

The summer recess is also an opportunity to reflect on the job that I am doing for Rochdale.

This week, I am concentrating on the Parliamentary aspect of my job.

On my website www.paulrowen.co.uk, you will see a complete list of issues and questions that I have raised in Parliament. This includes the fact that I have asked 18 PMQs to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown since May 2005, raising issues such as The Christie Hospital in Greater Manchester, A & E in Rochdale and Royal Mail Privatisation.

You can have your say on my website if you would like me to cover any other campaigns for you.