26 APRIL 2007

The excitement about the Harriers' FA Trophy Final at Wembley is nearly as great as when they won their way into the League. 
I am delighted the District Council and Charter Trustees are organising a Civic Reception for the players and staff to celebrate their appearance in the final. Concerns have been expressed that there will not be enough tickets for everyone who wishes to go to support the Harriers. Thank goodness this is unfounded. Our initial allocation was 17,500 tickets but the Chairman has assured me that further allocations can be obtained as required. Thus no one has to stay at home and we can all see new Wembley while giving the players vast vocal support.

In Stourport last Saturday a concern frequently expressed to me was the closure of the market and the fate of the coffee shop, the CAB office and the pet shop at present within the market. 
Thanks to immediate action by our very effective District Councillors I understand that alternative premises for these vital local services are being located and that hopefully there will be continuity of provision.

On Sunday morning I joined about 1500 people and the Stourport Brass Band in the Glades for the St George's Day Service for the Scouts and Guides. 
As it is 100 years since Lord Baden-Powell founded the Scout Movement they combined for a huge Celebration Service. It was inspiring and an opportunity for us all, including those like me who were Scouts long ago, to renew our promises. The march past the Town Hall with two bands took seven minutes to pass – a measure of the numbers of marchers.

In London we have published the Health Select Committee's report on Patient and Public Involvement in Health hopefully in time to influence the Local Government Bill which will decide the future of the method of representation of people interested in having a say about matters to do with their own health and wider local health issues. 
We roundly condemned the Government for disbanding Patient Forums just three years after their formation following the abolition of Community Health Councils (CHCs). Many believe that the abolition of CHCs was wrong and now to do the same to Patient Forums just as the good ones, like those in our county, are becoming very effective is madness.

On Tuesday the Opposition raised the question of medical training that I mentioned last week. 
This was a debate on the subject when I and other members including some on the Labour benches were able to point out to the Government where the new system is going disastrously wrong. I have had 40 letters from senior consultants from all over the country describing the Medical Training Application Service as "madness", "shameful" and "a bigger disaster than any we have had before" to select a few quotes. Despite all criticism the Government ploughs on regardless.

RT

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