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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 133. Yesterday we celebrated International Nurses Day so I’d like to thank all my nursing readers in South West Surrey and beyond for your dedication during the pandemic - we have noticed it!

PANDEMIC LATEST As of today, we had a total of 4,441,975 positive cases of COVID-19 with 127,640 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,880 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 246 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 22 active cases in Waverley. It is a slight uptick but from a low base so difficult to read too much into. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

PUBLIC INQUIRY Yesterday the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK will hold a full public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, commencing in spring next year. This has to be the right thing and I welcomed it in the Chamber yesterday (see my exchange with Boris) ([link removed]) . Public inquiries do take time and some are worried about that but my Health and Social Care Committee is already conducting its own inquiry ([link removed]) jointly with the Science and Technology Committee which will hear from Dominic Cummings in two weeks time and hopes to report as soon as July. But with a public inquiry I know from experience ministers have to spend hours preparing (with government lawyers in tow) and we surely would not want them to be distracted while the pandemic continues.

CANCER CRISIS We know sadly that in the early stages of the pandemic there was one additional death caused by the interruption to regular NHS services for every COVID-19 death. Cancer was one of the biggest areas of concern, with a 31% drop in chemotherapy attendances, a 14% decline in radiotherapy procedures and 29-40% decrease in surgical operations during the last year. In my Herald article ([link removed]) today I discuss the local and nationals efforts to tackle the backlog of operations following the pandemic. The IFS also has a good report ([link removed]) out on the backlog today which is worth a read.

VACCINES AND VIRUSES The vaccination programme is a continuing success and the Vaccine Minister has now confirmed that the National Booking Service will open from 7am today for people aged 38-39 ([link removed]) . In other vaccine news, if you have five minutes, here’s a great animation ([link removed]) on the biology of COVID-19 and vaccines produced by the University of Oxford.

The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

QUEEN’S SPEECH Although social care was briefly mentioned in the Queen’s Speech ([link removed]) , concrete plans were missing which was disappointing to say the least considering that in the last year an estimated 17,000 people had to sell their homes to afford care. We urgently need some of Boris’ bulldozer spirit to fix our social care crisis, as highlighted on the Mail front page ([link removed]) . My op-ed for the Mail here ([link removed]) and my interview with Mishal Husain on Today here (0650 slot). ([link removed])

DOCTOR SHORTAGES As we look ahead to life post-COVID, we urgently need to address doctor shortages across most specialties in the NHS. I set up 5 new medical schools and increased doctor, nurse and midwife training places by one quarter but we need a more structured approach to workforce planning given it takes as long as seven years to train a doctor - see my question to Boris Johnson yesterday ([link removed]) . I think we should give the job to an independent body to perform a similar role to the OBR with respect to budgets - the very least we can do for NHS frontline staff is to give them the confidence we are training enough people for the future.

DYING WELL This week the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dying Well met to discuss the latest developments in end-of life-care. I was unable to attend due to a diary clash. It is an issue where I have moved personally from outright opposition to agnosticism and I regularly hear strong views on both sides of the debate. There is no consensus amongst Health and Social Care Committee members which makes it difficult to envisage us doing an inquiry at this stage.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

CRIME STATS Domestic violence and burglary are down 14.8% and 25% respectively in Waverley which is I suppose a pandemic silver lining. However, worryingly there have been an additional 11 hate crime offences in the last month. To receive local e-mail crime updates and prevention advice, sign up here ([link removed]) .

PHENYLKETONURIA (PKU) is a debilitating illness ([link removed]) affecting one in 10,000 babies. I was delighted to receive an e-mail from my constituent and local campaigner, Caroline Graham ([link removed]) , informing me that PKU is to be highlighted in the next Call the Midwife episode (of which the entire Hunt family are massive fans). Caroline is one of the most phenomenal campaigners I have come across and recently NICE made a significant ruling saying the drug Kuvan should be made available to children. But why not adults? There is no logic or fairness in that decision and I am fighting to get it overturned.

BEES AND BUTTERFLIES Waverley Borough Council is participating in ‘No Mow May’ organised by Plantlife, a charity that is discouraging the use of lawnmowers during the month to boost pollination and support wildlife. Most green spaces across the borough are being left to grow, although sports pitches are not included. More details here ([link removed]) .

THANK YOU JULIA! Sad to hear Cllr Julia Potts is standing down as Waverley Conservative Leader ([link removed]) . She was an outstanding council leader who resolved numerous vital issues for the future of the borough and worked in a non-partisan way publicly and privately. Thank you for your great and dedicated service Julia.

CONGRATS TO DAWN BARROW who will be awarded the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey's Certificate of Appreciation for her tremendous work as the Churt Parish Council clerk, both pre and during the pandemic. Dawn was also one of the South West Surrey Community Heroes so I don’t think any of us are surprised. Very well deserved.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

GDP GROWTH In March, GDP grew 2.1% according to the new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. Nevertheless, GDP is still around 6% smaller than pre-pandemic levels in February 2020. More information here ([link removed]) but it feels like economic forecasts will be revised up rather than down which is the best way.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

CAB CONVOS New research reveals thatone in five Brits are happy discussing secrets with their taxi driver ([link removed]) . I bet the drivers have had some suberb conversations in their lifetimes…
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