11 November, 2004

I suffered a moment of intense frustration last week. The Secretary of State for Health was in front of the Health Select Committee for his annual grilling about NHS expenditure and I had just pointed out to him the stupidity of commissioning work in independent sector treatment centres at an inflated price, rather than giving the same money to Primary Care Trusts to use spare capacity in existing NHS Treatment Centres. Amazingly, he did not contradict my assertion and tried to justify the unjustifiable with irrelevant waffle including an inexplicable reference to Gorbachev. Then the meeting was terminated for several divisions. If ever anybody was saved by the bell, it was *Dr. John Reid.

A useful meeting of the All Party Local Hospital Group of MPs heard from Dr. Peter Barrett, chairman of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel. This was constituted in 2003 following disputed health service reconfigurations like ours. It is now getting involved with hospital reconfigurations early in the process so that it can influence the outcome. The Panel aims to inject greater openness into consultation and to make authorities more responsive to the views of ordinary people. How welcome! 

The exhibition in the library organised by the Kidderminster Art Club reveals amazing local talent from famous artists like John Mellor and many lesser known names. I was particularly impressed by several of the seascapes, especially one with the sun setting over the sea that took me back to unforgettable seaside holidays. I also liked a snow scene on the Severn Valley Railway and an almost photographic winter landscape in oils. 

At one of my regular meetings with members of the Chamber of Commerce, attention was drawn to the relative lack of training opportunities for apprentices in the area, and I will support the Chamber in trying to address this.

I was one of many sad supporters at Aggborough last Saturday when we watched the young Harriers team hold their own against Boston in the first half when I thought they looked the better team. The second half was a disaster and I am sure most of us were longing for the end of this period of torture for our young players, the acting manager and the supporters. The hard fact is that throughout the Football League, money produces victories. I respect the Board of Directors for their determination to live within their budget, but we are on a vicious circle. The worse the results are, the lower the gates will sink and the less money we will have. I do not have a solution because none of us individually have the sort of money that is needed but whether we support Manchester United, Wolves or West Bromwich, the importance to Wyre Forest of Football League status for the Harriers is enormous.

RT

*  [Doctor Reid is NOT a medical Doctor - Having read History at Stirling University, he stayed-on to take a Doctorate in Economic History.
He would therefore not be able to respond to the cry "Is there a Doctor in the House" ........ Ed.]