MP PUTS HOSPITAL BOSSES ON RED ALERT

Aidan yesterday questioned at length the Chief Executive of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Lyn Hill-Tout, over the further delay to the re-opening of Stafford Hospital's A&E Department. In an hour long telephone conversation, Mr Burley questioned the reasons for the delay, what plans are in place to mitigate those risks going forward, and whether there was an alternative agenda to never re-open A&E at all.

The new re-opening date is now set for October, after the hospital said that it needed to be sure that the Department could sustain the reopening and avoid any problems once open. This latest delay comes after the re-opening date had originally been set for March, and then subsequently delayed to June.

Mr Burley said afterwards: "I am deeply disappointed and extremely frustrated by this further delay – the third delay in just six months. If the A&E Department now opens in October, as planned, it will have been closed for at least 10 months – an unacceptable length of time for my constituents to be without this vital local service, almost a year with no local 24 hour A&E.

"I understand from the Chief Executive that patient safety was the reason for the last minute decision not to re-open in June, however I would question why the Clinical Director and his team did not inform the Trust Board earlier and left it to the last minute to pull the rug from under their feet. It appears that a bad case of 'last night nerves' got the better of the clinicians, who should have been mitigating risks such as too few middle grade Doctors running the Department after 10pm. It will not be acceptable for them to suddenly tell the Board at the last minute that they have cold feet in October – resilience for the Department must be planned in over the coming five months.

"Whilst I pay tribute to those doctors and nurses on the hospital floor who have worked hard to meet the stringent criteria for re-opening, the Trust Board are now on red alert. If the Hospital does not open in October, or earlier, the Governors should sack the Board who have had long enough to solve this problem. It should not take more than a year to make an A&E Department fit for purpose and clinically safe – especially when they have received additional funds and assistance with staffing resources during the last two years."

MP PROVIDES WARD SUPPORT AT HOSPITAL

Aidan volunteered at Cannock Chase Hospital on Friday 11 May, supporting the valuable work done by Age UK Ward Support Volunteers. This is the second time the MP has volunteered at the Hospital since his election, previously helping out with 'The League of Friends' trolley service at the Hospital.

Aidan worked under the instruction of Elizabeth Gooch, volunteer coordinator, along with a number of other ward volunteers providing services including hair washing, hand massages and serving lunch to elderly patients at the hospital.

The Ward Support service, provided by Age UK South Staffordshire, currently operates at both Cannock and Stafford Hospitals, and offers a wide range of support services targeted at the problems faced by older patients at the Hospitals. More than 60 volunteers currently work at Cannock, and one of their main responsibilities is to assist with serving meals and feeding older patients. As well as assisting with all three meals each day, ward support volunteers offer a hair washing service, hand massages, and can assist patients with other tasks as well as simply providing company and support. They are also extending the service to provide support to patients after they are discharged from hospital, when they return home.

The project, funded by the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, is led by a trained team of staff and volunteers who provide caring services to complement that provided by hospital staff. Aidan had agreed to volunteer with the service after being approached by volunteer and constituent Shelagh Brindley who told him about the valuable work done by the volunteers.

Commenting Aidan said: "I was surprised to learn how many older patients arriving on the wards are suffering from some form of malnutrition. It is obvious that a good diet and three meals a day will help to speed up recovery for these patients, and the support provided by the volunteers makes a world of difference to ensuring this happens. The volunteers have the time to sit with patients while they eat, and help them with any difficulties. It is truly wonderful work that they do."

CANNOCK CHASE MP AND LOCAL CHARITY MEET TRANSPORT MINISTER TO CALL FOR CHANGES

Transport Minister Norman Baker met Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley and representatives of Staffordshire-based children's disability charity Newlife Foundation earlier today (Thursday) to discuss possible changes to the law which could potentially benefit thousands of vulnerable children across the UK.

Earlier this year, Mr Baker responded positively to a Newlife campaign to increase the weight limit of Class Two wheelchairs – from 113kgs to 150kgs – making some of the most hi-tech mobility aids legally available to the under-14s for the first time.

This latest meeting, arranged by Aidan, follows on from his 10-Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons in March, calling for wider-reaching changes. The motion received cross-party support; however it now relies on being taken up by the Government to progress.

Aidan has been a staunch supporter of the on-going Newlife campaign, which calls for a further change to the Road Traffic Act 1988 to increase the weight limit for Class Three wheelchairs to 200kgs, from 150kgs, and remove the existing minimum age restriction of 14.

Following the meeting at the Department for Transport, Newlife co-founder and CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: "We are delighted that the Minister agreed to meet us to discuss what we consider to be an outdated law that is hampering the comfort, development and opportunities of thousands of young people across the UK.

"We look forward to working with the officials who are considering a more sophisticated approach to wheelchair use and classification. It is good to know that Newlife's campaign is now fully on the top table and that, together with the Department for Transport, we can continue to improve the lives of severely disabled children."

Aidan said: "I was reassured by the Minister that these issues are being looked at closely and that he has taken into consideration the arbitrary limits of weight and age. It is about time these issues were resolved and I was grateful for the opportunity to press the Minister on Newlife's campaign."

Sheila Brown added: "Aidan has moved forward the fight to ensure disabled children are given the best chance of getting the right equipment. We are very grateful for his commitment and fortunate to have engaged his support on this important issue."

When Aidan introduced his 10-Minute Rule Motion, supporting the Newlife campaign, he paid tribute to the charity for its nurse services, provision of more than £7million of essential disability equipment and £12million funding of groundbreaking medical research. He highlighted how charities like Newlife are restricted from providing the most advanced equipment by the Road Traffic Act and the belief that statutory providers such as primary care trusts use the law to avoid supplying the costly equipment, despite properly assessed needs.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: "I am not clear why the Department stopped short of amending provisions for Class Three wheelchairs, and only increased the weight of Class Two to match that of Class Three. Such an approach is illogical. The weight restrictions were devised more than 20 years ago, when wheelchairs were still called 'invalid carriages' and were more primitive compared to the designs available today. Modern designs provide for a 'sit to stand or lie' facility and have longer battery life. They also provide for wider, more robust tyres that allow users to travel on difficult, uneven terrain. That is why they are heavier; they can do more things and help disabled people more. Nowadays it is not the equipment that is holding people back, but the outdated legislation."

Statement on Stafford A&E

Aidan said: "I am deeply disappointed by the Mid Staffs Trust board's decision to delay the night time re-opening of Stafford Accident and Emergency Department for a second time, pushing the planned opening back to October 2012. This will be almost a year since we were told the A&E would be closing for a three-month period, a decision which many of us felt at the time was a step too far.

"Only six weeks ago we were told that the A&E department was all set to open in June, and I am sure local people will, like me, be surprised to learn that this timeframe has changed. It gives rise to some very serious questions about who made the decision to announce that the re-opening was on schedule, what setbacks have happened in the last six weeks, and whether the Board is really in control of this situation.

"The Trust has said that this new extra delay will allow new staff to settle in and enable significant improvements already made to become embedded. It is important to stress that while I do not object to this intention; I do have serious concerns about the manner in which this situation appears to have been handled since day one.

"I will be speaking to Trust Chief Executive Lyn Hill-Tout as soon as possible to communicate my dismay and impress upon her my concerns and those of my constituents' at this decision. Stafford A&E must reopen as soon as possible, and the Trust needs to be honest with us about when that will be."

MP AND RESIDENTS CELEBRATE AS THREAT OF INCINERATOR-BLIGHT IS REMOVED FROM CANNOCK HOMES

Aidan Burley has welcomed news that Biffa Ltd will not appeal a planning decision to refuse permission for a huge new incinerator in Cannock.

The application, which was refused last year after some controversy, would have seen Biffa construct a waste incinerator on land adjacent to the Kingswood Lakeside/Poplars landfill and recycling depot.

Aidan Burley, a leading opponent of the incinerator plans, has now confirmed that the waste company will not appeal this decision to the national Planning Inspectorate, as the time-limit for doing so has now passed.

Having initially voted narrowly in favour of the incinerator, Staffordshire County Council was forced into a fresh hearing for the application, following pressure from Mr Burley and outraged local residents. In light of new legal advice, the Council ruled that the company's offer of a 'community fund' for local projects was not closely related to the development, and could not be taken into consideration by councillors deciding on the scheme. Councillors subsequently voted against the incinerator, after Aidan wrote to highlight fears locally that public health would be put at risk.

Commenting, Aidan said: "I am delighted that all the hard work put in by myself and local councillors, especially John Bernard and Pat Corfield has resulted in this outcome. A new incinerator would have worsened air quality problems in neighbourhoods already blighted by the busy A5 and M6-toll corridor. It would have sent out the wrong message that burning more waste is okay, and burning it on our doorstep is acceptable.

"I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. Despite what is often said, this shows that when local residents and local politicians work together to present a strong case, the planning system can deliver a result that is sensible and beneficial for an area."

BURLEY BACKS CALLS FOR DRINKS COMPANIES TO REDUCE SUGAR LEVELS TO COMBAT DIABETES AND OBESITY

Manufacturers of soft drinks will be required to reduce the amount of sugar in their products, and put a proportion of their profits back into diabetes prevention research, under new rules proposed by Keith Vaz MP in a 10-minute rule bill supported by Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley. The bill, which has cross-party support, came before MPs after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (18th April) and was accepted unopposed. Its second reading will take place on 27th April 2012.

The Bill's call for the government to intervene in the growing obesity and diabetes epidemics follows Denmark's introduction of a 'fat tax' in October last year, and the French Constitutional Council's approval of a 'soda tax' in December.

The link between obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes is firmly established. 80% of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.

Excessive sugar consumption is an important factor in such cases, and those seeking to lower the amount of sugar and fat in their diet often overlook the contribution soft drinks make to their calorie intake. A 330ml can of soft drink may contain up to 8 teaspoons of sugar.

Commenting Keith Vaz MP said: "I was delighted to have the support of Aidan Burley for my 10 Minute Rule Bill. It is measures like this that will help us beat these health crises."

Aidan added: "I am very concerned by the rising levels of obesity and diabetes in the UK.

"We need to send a strong message about the importance of a healthy diet and the dangers of excessive sugar consumption. This bill is a good starting point."

COMMONS AND LORDS EDGED OUT BY CHASE COALITION IN TWICKENHAM CHARITY MATCH

The Commons & Lords rugby team's annual charity match at Twickenham Stadium raised more than £11,000 for first-time beneficiaries, the RFU Injured Players Foundation, this afternoon (Tuesday April 17).

A combined team from Cannock and Rugeley rugby clubs in Staffordshire travelled south to the Home of England Rugby to take on the Commons & Lords RUFC, made up of MPs, Peers, parliamentary staff and guests.

Aidan, scrum half for the Commons & Lords, had organised the parliamentary team's opponents, who dubbed themselves 'Chase Coalition' and ran out 13-7 winners, scoring two tries to one.

John Owen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, and RFU Past President, was present to receive the £10,900 proceeds that included each Cannock and Rugeley player contributing £300 for their chance to play on the hallowed turf, a donation by the Commons & Lords and more than £600 from a post-match auction of memorabilia.

Having made a 5.30am departure to get to London for the match, the Staffordshire teams' day was topped off by a visit to Downing Street for a photocall outside No.10 and a look inside the Cabinet Room.

The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) supports people who sustain a catastrophic injury while playing rugby. The charity, which has more than 130 clients currently, provides help and support for players and their families, in the early months after the injury and in the long term.

"One of the first things I did on getting elected as an MP in 2010 was accept an invitation to the Rugeley RUFC annual dinner, and I was soon persuaded to play a game for their second XV," said Burley, who was joined in the Commons & Lords team by Lord Addington, and MPs, Mike Penning and Stephen Mosley.

"It was a privilege to be asked to organise an opposition for this charity match and I thought that my two local clubs, normally arch rivals, would be perfect."

Played in four quarters, the match began with a try for the Chase Coalition by Dave Gregory, but the Commons & Lords led when Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, caught a lineout and the ball was moved expertly for Jug Johal to score a try converted by James Faiers.

A penalty goal squeezed over by Tom Impallomeni with eight minutes remaining edged the combined Cannock and Rugeley side back in front, and delighted prop Tommy Wilson celebrated a once-in-a-lifetime try at Twickenham from a rolling maul to finish the scoring.

John Owen said: "Fund-raising days like this are so important to enable us to care for the clients of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

"We thank Aidan Burley, MP, and all the Commons & Lords team who play half a dozen matches a year, for returning to Twickenham for this annual fixture.

"It was also a marvellous effort by Cannock and Rugeley, both to raise the money they did and to make the journey to Twickenham, and I wonder if perhaps we should rename them the Staffordshire Barbarians."

Two teams of Year 7 schoolchildren from Fair Oak Academy and Hagley Park Academy were part of the fun, playing a curtain-raiser match on the Twickenham pitch.

Martin de Ridder, Rugeley RUFC director of rugby, said: "This has been a fantastic day for everyone involved.

"Catastrophic injury in rugby is very rare, thankfully, but it is great to know that if the worst does happen there is an organisation like the IPF there to help."

Man of the match Penning was presented with a bottle of champagne by Eliott Ray of the RFU Wine Club.

RUGELEY AND CANNOCK RUGBY CLUBS PLOT TO BEAT MPs

The captains of Rugeley and Cannock met up this week to plan their strategy ahead of their match against the combined House of Commons and House of Lords Team at Twickenham next Tuesday.

Just last week the two captains Barrie Newton and Stuart Cheshire scrummed down against each other when Cannock edged a close match 24-17. The rivalries will be put to one side when they join forces to form the Chase Coalition XV.

Chase MP Aidan Burley who has organised the game was on hand to oversee the meeting although he was left out of the tactical discussion as he will be playing for the opposition during the match.

Rugeley Captain Barrie Newton said: "I must admit it will feel strange scrumming down with Cannock who has been our local rivals for a number of years. However, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Twickenham and any rivalry will be put to one side as we hope to represent the Chase area and beat the MPs".

Cannock skipper Stuart Cheshire added: "We are taking a coach load of players & spectators down for the day who are all looking forward to the opportunity of visiting Twickenham & playing on the hallowed turf. We are very grateful for Aidan for sorting this out for us as well as a trip to Downing Street, which promises to be very interesting."

Aidan Burley MP said: "Unfortunately Stuart and Barrie were keeping their cards close to their chests so I was unable to gain any tactical information to benefit my own team. I am delighted my constituents including two local schools (Hagley Park and Fair Oak) will get the opportunity to play at Twickenham".

The match is raising money for the RFU's Injured Players Foundation which is a charity which supports injured rugby players.

MP BACKS TAX CUT FOR FAMILIES AND PENSIONERS IN CANNOCK CHASE

Aidan has welcomed figures this week which reveal that residents in Cannock Chase will see a real terms cut in their council tax bills.

After council tax spiraled out of control under Labour, Conservatives in Government repeated their council tax freeze initiative for a second year running.

Commentating, Aidan said: "Under Labour, council tax in Cannock Chase rose by 122% hitting local people and these bills would have kept rising if they had clung onto power.

"In contrast over the last two years with Conservatives in Government council tax has been frozen providing welcome relief to local residents.

"I am sure that local people in Cannock Chase are thankful that the council tax freeze offered by Conservatives in Government has had the effect of cutting their bills in real terms. This will be a welcome saving for hardworking families and pensioners across the district."

Statement on Stafford Accident and Emergency Department

Aidan Burley MP has released the following statement in response to the Mid Staffs Trust Board meeting of 29 March 2012.

"I welcome the announcement today by Mid Staffs NHS Trust which recommends a re-opening date of 11th June for Stafford Accident and Emergency Department. It is now vital the Trust do everything they can to ensure that this deadline is kept to. My constituents in Cannock Chase have already gone for too long without a proper, local 24-hour emergency healthcare service, and I am glad that a resolution is within reach.

"Going forward, I will be pushing hard to see the plans they have for monitoring performance post opening, in order to ensure that the Hospital does not simply revert back to its old ways. It is also vital that Mid Staffs Trust set out clearly what steps are being taken to ensure the correct standards are maintained and what procedures they have in place to provide an early warning of potential difficulties in the future.

"We all know that the previous crisis was caused because people who knew of the problems were too scared to speak out under the old management regime. It is therefore vital to find out what systems the current management team are introducing to ensure that in the future staff can raise their concerns without fear of retribution."