Wednesday, September 14, 2005
a busy Tootingite
Last Wednesday, I attended the Wandsworth Business Forum meeting. These are always enjoyable meetings as there are always excellent refreshments provided! This time was no different as the event took place at Lahore Dreams restaurant in the ward I represent as a Councillor and my constituency (Tooting obviously has much better cuisine than either Battersea or Putney!).
At the meeting, the Town Centre Manager and local businesses discussed a wide range of issues including a review of the Town Centre Partnership, how to fight crime towards local businesses, the launchpad project (which is an initiative aimed at young people in Wandsworth utilising their entrepreneurship skills). There was also an excellent presentation on how the 2012 Olympics can help local businesses.
As a Councillor, I served on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which allowed me to scrutinise our local health providers. As a Member of Parliament, I have regular opportunities to meet with key personnel from the local healthcare community along with other local parliamentarians. At the most recent meeting, last Friday, a number of issues were discussed with the senior management at St George’s Hospital. These included the plans to turn around the finances of St George’s, the Key Worker accommodation scheme, a general discussion on the Trust’s performance, waiting times and an update on the position in relation to the Bollingbroke Hospital.
On Saturday evening, I was able to relive my previous life as a lawyer by watching ‘A Few Good Men’ at the theatre, starring Rob Lowe. One of my regrets is never being able to cross examine a witness the way Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the play does in the final scene to win the case for his clients. However, I live in hope that I’ll be able to break down a recalcitrant witness on the Public Accounts Committee at some point in the near future!
As a committed trade unionist, I believe it is important to keep in touch with issues that concern ordinary trade union members. On Monday, I attended the London Regional Political Committee of the Communication Workers Union to discuss various matters of interest to the CWU, as well as constituents.
One of the greatest achievements of the Third Term Labour Government has been the successful bid for the 2012 Olympics. As a lifelong Tootingite and Londoner I am passionate that we try and maximise the benefits of the Games for all of our citizens. I had the first of what will be an ongoing dialogue with the Mayor’s advisors on the 2012 Games about procurement of contracts (to ensure that local businesses benefit), the role of volunteers, the way the cultural years which preceed the Games will develop and other benefits to Tooting and London.
As an ex Governor of South Thames FE College, I was pleased to have a meeting with the Principal of South Thames, Sue Rimmer, to discuss how South Thames is doing. The college serves Tooting residents fantastically and enables students of all ages to learn skills and obtain knowledge that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive. Some of the work the college does around our adult population and those in our community for whom English is not a first language is phenomenal. The college does have concerns about future funding and I have promised to take this up with the Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell MP.
For the second year in a row, I attended the St George’s Hospital AGM. This is also the second year that the new senior management team have been running things. I would like to pay tribute to all the staff at St George’s who do such a fantastic job often in difficult circumstances. The staff achievement awards that were presented is one small way of recognising the excellence of individual staff and teams. Further details of our local hospital’s performance can be obtained from their website www.stgeorges.nhs.uk. Some amazing facts that demonstrate the reason why we should take pride in St George’s are:
At the meeting, the Town Centre Manager and local businesses discussed a wide range of issues including a review of the Town Centre Partnership, how to fight crime towards local businesses, the launchpad project (which is an initiative aimed at young people in Wandsworth utilising their entrepreneurship skills). There was also an excellent presentation on how the 2012 Olympics can help local businesses.
As a Councillor, I served on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which allowed me to scrutinise our local health providers. As a Member of Parliament, I have regular opportunities to meet with key personnel from the local healthcare community along with other local parliamentarians. At the most recent meeting, last Friday, a number of issues were discussed with the senior management at St George’s Hospital. These included the plans to turn around the finances of St George’s, the Key Worker accommodation scheme, a general discussion on the Trust’s performance, waiting times and an update on the position in relation to the Bollingbroke Hospital.
On Saturday evening, I was able to relive my previous life as a lawyer by watching ‘A Few Good Men’ at the theatre, starring Rob Lowe. One of my regrets is never being able to cross examine a witness the way Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the play does in the final scene to win the case for his clients. However, I live in hope that I’ll be able to break down a recalcitrant witness on the Public Accounts Committee at some point in the near future!
As a committed trade unionist, I believe it is important to keep in touch with issues that concern ordinary trade union members. On Monday, I attended the London Regional Political Committee of the Communication Workers Union to discuss various matters of interest to the CWU, as well as constituents.
One of the greatest achievements of the Third Term Labour Government has been the successful bid for the 2012 Olympics. As a lifelong Tootingite and Londoner I am passionate that we try and maximise the benefits of the Games for all of our citizens. I had the first of what will be an ongoing dialogue with the Mayor’s advisors on the 2012 Games about procurement of contracts (to ensure that local businesses benefit), the role of volunteers, the way the cultural years which preceed the Games will develop and other benefits to Tooting and London.
As an ex Governor of South Thames FE College, I was pleased to have a meeting with the Principal of South Thames, Sue Rimmer, to discuss how South Thames is doing. The college serves Tooting residents fantastically and enables students of all ages to learn skills and obtain knowledge that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive. Some of the work the college does around our adult population and those in our community for whom English is not a first language is phenomenal. The college does have concerns about future funding and I have promised to take this up with the Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell MP.
For the second year in a row, I attended the St George’s Hospital AGM. This is also the second year that the new senior management team have been running things. I would like to pay tribute to all the staff at St George’s who do such a fantastic job often in difficult circumstances. The staff achievement awards that were presented is one small way of recognising the excellence of individual staff and teams. Further details of our local hospital’s performance can be obtained from their website www.stgeorges.nhs.uk. Some amazing facts that demonstrate the reason why we should take pride in St George’s are:
- MRSA infections are down from 115 (in 2001/02) to 63 (in 2004/05)
- 4300 babies were delivered last year
- 2800 women were screened for breast cancer
- 49000 operations
- 87300 GP referrals
- 96300 patients treated in A&E
- 181600 x rays, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans
- 393000 outpatient appointments
- More than 5500 staff work for St George’s which is the largest employer in Tooting
