January 2018
Dear Resident,
Happy New Year!
I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy 2018 and as always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel that I can be of assistance in my role as your Assembly Member.
To read my New Year message, which looks back at 2017, and ahead to important issues in 2018 please click here and please find below a short update on a couple of issues which have become prevalent over the Christmas break.
Russell George
Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Out of Hours GP services
A few people have contacted me concerned that there will be an end to ‘Out of Hours GP services’ in our area. Well, that should never happen. There has to be an ‘Out of Hours GP service’ but more to the point, I have not seen any suggestion that there will not be. But there is change coming, and change brings concerns and questions.
There have been reports that the ‘ShropDoc service’ is coming to an end. ShropDoc is the company that is providing the ‘Out of Hours service’ now and this is paid for by Powys Teaching Health Board. The contract that the health board have with ShropDoc is coming to an end this Spring and the health board wants to change to a new ‘Out of Hours’ system. There appears to be two reasons for this. ShropDoc has been in some financial difficulties, which of course brings risks with the service they can provide going forward and secondly, the way forward for the rest of Wales and England is the new ‘111’ service.
My view is that it isn’t important who runs it or what the service is called. The important issue is that we have an excellent out of hours service in our area, and that we have assurances it will remain excellent going forward.
Powys Teaching Health Board have made a few points over recent weeks which are worth pointing out. They have said they plan to offer “an integrated service that combines GP Out of Hours services and a 24-hour information and advice service through the single free telephone number – 111”. The health board have also said that the new system will be (as far as we are concerned as Powys residents) similar to what is currently available, with specially trained staff on the phone who will either give advice; arrange for a GP or other clinician to talk to you; or arrange for them to see you.
I’ve got a further meeting with the health board on Friday, so I will be asking for more information on the transition arrangements. The health board have given details of their plans, but there are still questions on how the new service will work in practice.
Newtown Bypass
In 12 months’ time, we will see the long-awaited completion of the Newtown bypass and I'm pleased to say that good progress is being made with the first vehicles expected to use the bypass in early spring next year.
Progress has been moving apace and the contractors are currently ahead of schedule and I know that the contractors are mindful of trying to keep disruption to a minimum especially for commuters. As this major construction project continues, there will inevitably be some disruption but I firmly believe that when it is completed, the bypass has the potential to transform the economy of towns such as Newtown, Llanidloes and Machynlleth.
I've also been supporting a number of landowners and homeowners who have been affected. These residents should of course be treated with courtesy and respect and I want the Welsh Government and the contractors to honour their commitments to the local environment including promises to protect a number of important areas, trees and landscapes.
I will be providing a comprehensive update on the bypass in a couple of weeks.
Train Services
The CEO of Arriva Trains Wales has personally committed to making improvements to the company's performance on the Cambrian Line, after concerns were raised with me about the reliability of its service between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.
He has also agreed to travel on the route with me to discuss ongoing issues and commit to a performance improvement plan which will be reviewed in a couple of months.
The odd cancellation once every few months is part and parcel of railway life and whilst aggravating, customers can accept and put up with it. But there have been a large number of cancellations or part cancellations recently with no alternative bus service being provided, leaving Cambrian Line passengers totally in the lurch.
The Cambrian line service is an essential service for regular commuters and students alike and I hope to see a quick improvement in performance and reliability now that the CEO has made a commitment that he will personally oversee the improvement of the company's performance on the Cambrian Line.
Useful Contacts
For the up to date information on winter gritting, flooding, traffic delays and school closures, please find below some useful links:
Winter gritting
Flooding alerts & advice
Traffic delays & planned roadworks
School Closures
Forthcoming Advice Surgeries
Door Step Surgeries
This is where I knock on doors in a particular community. If you would like me to visit you, please contact me on 01686 610887 or email [email protected]
FORDEN
Saturday 3 February 10.30am - 12.30pm
Community Advice Surgeries
I will be holding community advice surgeries in the following areas. No appointment is needed.
LLANIDLOES
Monday 15 January 12 – 1pm, Town Council Offices
MIDDLETOWN
with Cllr Amanda Jenner
Friday 26 January 4.30 – 6.30pm, Breidden Pub, Middleton
If you would like a copy of my 2018 calendar, which includes planned surgery dates around Montgomeryshire, please contact my office on 01686 610887 and we will post a calendar out to you.