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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No 135. Been forwarded this email and find it helpful? Sign up to get your personal copy here. ([link removed]) You can of course unsubscribe at any time.

PANDEMIC UPDATE As of today, we had a total of 4,452,527 positive cases of COVID-19 with 127,694 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,877 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 246 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 22 active cases in Waverley. All data is accurate as of 9am this morning.

BIG BOOST 7 in 10 adults have now been vaccinated ([link removed]) , which is a remarkable achievement. The government has also announced a new clinical trial backed by £19 million funding to investigate the use of current COVID-19 vaccines as booster vaccines, something that may be very relevant in a world of variants. You can even participate in the Boost vaccine trial and play your part in the national effort - click here ([link removed]) to find out more. The study will commence in June, and will require 3,000 subjects of all ages who were jabbed in December or January. Meanwhile, in the last week in the UK: coronavirus cases ⬇️0.9%, hospital admissions ⬇️10%, and deaths ⬇️22.9%.

INDIAN VARIANT WORRIES RECEDE A number of papers are reporting more optimism about the Indian variant, with latest data reportedly showing increased transmissibility of 30% rather than the 50% originally feared. That would apparently be within the range that allowed the unlocking down to continue. Also vaccines now available for 34 and 35 year olds and may be made available to over 20s from early next month according to the Telegraph ([link removed]) .

TERRIFIC TELEMEDICINE Without a doubt, the pandemic has proved the power of technology, helping to wean the NHS off its addiction to paper and fax machines. Yesterday Matt Hancock revealed that the COVID-19 NHS app has been downloaded almost 24 million times to date and the wider NHS app, on which you can record your vaccine status, was downloaded more times on Monday this week than any previous day. I introduced an app to allow people to book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions so good to see this really taking off. That said I am meeting the BMA this afternoon to discuss their concerns about the impact on doctor workload of offering both virtual and face-to-face appointments.

ANTIVIRAL THERAPY has been developed by Australian and American scientists with 99.9% efficacy against coronavirus, although it won’t be ready for humans until 2023. The researchers found that when tested in COVID-19 diseased mice, the therapy significantly increased survival chances. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more about the ‘next-generation’ viral method.

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

TRAVEL CONFUSION Amid confusion over the government’s position on international travel, I asked the Health Secretary whether we should travel to amber list countries even when it is no longer illegal. After concerns that we may have shut borders to India too late, we do need clarity. My question to Matt Hancock ([link removed]) here but perhaps the clearest explanation was Grant Shapps on the Today programme today ([link removed]) (0810). I think it is basically green = go; amber = only go if essential and red = don’t go.

DEMENTIA REVOLUTION On Tuesday my Health and Social Care Committee held a session on issues around supporting those with dementia and their carers. We are listening to the experiences of those living with dementia, their families, and other professionals. At present, 17,000 people have to sell their homes every year to pay for their care - listen to this heartbreaking story ([link removed]) of a son trying to do right for his mother but being totally frustrated by the system. Any grown-up debate on social care must ask how any reforms will be funded - listen to three experts give their verdict ([link removed]) . I have also written about dementia in my Herald article ([link removed]) this week as its Dementia Action Week.

QUEEN’S SPEECH DEBATE Yesterday I made a speech in the chamber about the new health and care reforms, something right at the top of the government’s reform agenda and of great interest locally. After Matt Hancock confirmed to me in writing that safety and quality will be one of the core requirements being asked of the new integrated care systems I have decided to support these reforms. I did though express concerns about the lack of plans for social care and the need to overhaul workforce planning. If the NHS really is a priority, the social care system must be as well. My full speech here ([link removed]) , and the short BBC version here ([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

FARNHAM SCHOOLS Earlier in the week I organised a productive meeting between a group of Farnham headteachers and Schools Minister Nick Gibb discussing the government's tutoring programme set up to help often disadvantaged children left behind during the pandemic. All attendees raised excellent points, including concerns about the uptake of the tutor programme, recruitment and regulation of tutors and continuity of support for children with SEN. Check out my Facebook ([link removed]) for more details about the meeting. If you would like to get involved in tutoring research, the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) are currently running a Reach & Engagement Randomised Controlled Trial ([link removed]) .

BERKLEY WOOLMEAD DEVELOPMENT Yesterday I requested up to date information on what is happening with this frustrating Farnham development after a number of community group concerns. I have now heard back from Tom Horwood, CEO at Waverley that the current hearing will remain open until 26th of this month to allow for the Inspector's site visit, Waverley's statement and the appellant's final comments - thereafter, the Inspector will begin deliberations. With regards to the management of the project, Waverley has not heard anything about a takeover by someone other than Berkeley and pointed out that the appeal was made on behalf of Berkeley Homes.

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

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

COSTLY COVID According to the National Audit Office (NAO), the coronavirus pandemic will cost Britain £372bn, with around half of the money designated to support businesses (quite rightly), including spending on the job retention scheme and bounce-back loans. The NAO’s COVID-19 cost tracker can be found here ([link removed]) .

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

EUROVISION, YOUR DECISION Love it or hate it, it’s the Eurovision final on Saturday. The UK has not won since 1997 although we have a good chance this year (just kidding, we don’t). Here ([link removed]) are some acts to look out for.

JOHN LE CARRE fans will be delighted to know he wrote one final book which is now being published posthumously. Listen to his literary agent Jonny Geller talk movingly about how he wrote his books ([link removed]) on this morning’s Today programme (0823).
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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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