I have been to three useful briefings this week. 

The first was from Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABx) about the imminent Third Reading in the House of Lords of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill and their campaign for new rules to regulate bailiffs. 
The CABx welcome measures in this Bill to address the unlawful, unfair and unaccountable bailiff practices that have been reported to them. They are asking anyone with experience of bailiffs' visits to complete a brief report form for them. 
To obtain one please leave a message with your name and address on 01562 753333 or contact our local CAB office in New Street, Kidderminster.

The second was with the Alzheimer's Society to announce their priorities for 2007. 
These are: 
                Access to high quality of care: 
                Access to drugs: 
                An end to charging for care. 
The first is achievable by spreading the good practice that exists in some centres to all others. Money will be needed for education and training and to expand services but considerate, kind, compassionate care in existing units costs nothing. The other aims must be supported but will take time to achieve.

Thirdly I attended a presentation by Advantage West Midlands and Sport England on the ways business and tourism in the West Midlands could benefit from the 2012 Olympics. 
We heard of opportunities for local firms to become involved in the necessary building and construction work. Then there will be an influx of tourists from all over the world who will be interested in seeing the country and here we have so much to offer them as a change from London. 
By 2012 it is possible that our industrial heritage trail with budget accommodation for visitors could be a reality.

Last week was the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill. 

As there is no Health Bill planned the Government has tacked on clauses to abolish public and patient involvement in health forums (PPIFs). 

It is hard to understand that when the Government states so often that their aim is for a patient-led NHS that now, only three years after the formation of PPIFs to take the place of Community Health Councils, just when the best forums like our own are starting to function effectively they are to be abolished. 
The replacement bodies, local involvement networks (LINks), – sic – are to be set up by local authorities and reduced in number to be coterminous with the new primary care trusts and their local authorities. 

The Bill contains little detail about the form, function or funding of these new bodies or about their powers. 
We can only hope that the Standing Committee, now scrutinizing the Bill, and the Health Committee inquiry into public and patient involvement in health that has just commenced, will achieve necessary amendments to add detail to the Bill - as there is little chance that it will be defeated.