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This is a
time of year for looking after the elderly and infirm and the least
fortunate in our society.
Nothing is more important to us than our health and
it’s been enormously encouraging to see the continued improvement in our
national health service, again this year.
This is a time of year for looking after the elderly and infirm and the
least fortunate in our society. But being a good neighbour is not just an
annual event. It’s incumbent on us all to have respect for each other
throughout the year. That’s why I’ve supported all efforts over the last
twelve months to crack down on anti-social neighbours and ensure everyone
can enjoy a decent quality of life.
It’s also a time of year for visiting friends and relatives. It’s
particularly pleasing that the elderly and disabled can now do so at no cost
thanks to our free travel scheme and do so throughout the year. Allied to
free personal care and free central heating programme for older people it
all adds up a comprehensive support package for some of the most vulnerable
people in our community..
Nothing is more important to us than our health and it’s been enormously
encouraging to see the continued improvement in our national health service,
again this year. Not only are waiting times at their lowest ever but we are
significantly reducing deaths from cancer, stroke and heart disease. This
year also saw the biggest single health promotion initiative in contemporary
times, with the introduction of the smoking ban.
This will mean that new generations of young people will be able to grow up
and enjoy their leisure time free from the dangers of passive smoking. Young
people are our future and extending the travel scheme to students and other
young people will be a priority of mine in the New Year.
My thanks to all those emergency service workers and others who have worked
tirelessly throughout the year to keep us safe.
A happy new year to all my constituents
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