VIEWPOINT FOR 30 APRIL 2009 
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

For those disappointed not to have read anything from me about 
The Budget before now, I can assure them I have had much to do during the last week - as readers will gather below. 
As I write, the budget, which everyone will have had full details about from the media, was not high on my priorities before writing this. 

1. I was disappointed with it as many measures in it are expressly opposed by people who have written to me - for instance, increased fuel tax. 

2. Also, there is little to help medium sized businesses and I am still waiting, despite reminders, for a reply to my invited letter, written in February, to the Prime Minister with practical suggestions from some of our major businesses for helpful changes for businesses that would not be difficult for the government to make. 
   I have learnt that although the PM is generous with offers of meetings or action in response to oral questions in the House he is then, inevitably and understandably, too busy to easily fulfill these promises.

3. My main disappointment with the budget and responses to it show that it is yet another political football instead of being what we require so desperately, a cross party consensus of what the country needs to rescue us from the current crisis.

_________

During the last week I have had meetings_

• with the Chief Medical Officer, 

• with experts on the prevention of blood clots in patients in hospital, 

• with members of the House of Lords for a briefing on the sale of tobacco products, 

• with experts on the harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption, 

• with the Chair of our own Acute Hospital Trust and 

• with the Regional Director of NHS Direct. 

Inevitably because of my professional background a lot of my work does involve health issues. 
But also during this week alone I have been heavily involved in lengthy meetings and TV interviews with the unacceptable method of paying 
MPs’ expenses (which always result in the briefest of sound bites). 

________

At home_

• I visited BBC Blast* on the Market Street car park, 

• attended the AGM's of the Kidderminster Civic Society and 

• Asha Wyre Forest  

• and the St George's Day Scout and Guide services and parade. 

• I enjoyed the Kidderminster Male Choir’s Spring Concert in aid of Kemp Hospice when they were ably assisted by the ladies of the Kidderminster Valentines. 

• I wish I could say I enjoyed joining nearly 3,000 others at the Harriers’ match on Sunday. It was thrilling and nail-biting stuff but the last minute loss so hard to bear. I was delighted that affection and support for our players was undimmed by the result judging from their reception at the end of the match and also of the season.

BBC Blast* is the BBC’s project which visits different venues to encourage teenagers to develop their creative skills in film making, digital animation, music, art, photography, dance, writing and fashion by workshops, master classes and facilitated performances.

I met Tony Kavanagh, the inspirational director of the project and watched young people making short films of plasticine models they had made and animated themselves. 
Move over Nick Park!

R.T.

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