Welcome to this week's newsletter.
I'm sure like me you have been saddened at the scenes of death and destruction following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Things like this always remind us how lucky we are and that we should never take friends and family for granted-even if that can be hard sometimes! There are details below for how you can contribute to the appeal.
This week we saw a debate in the media about the death penalty after Lee Anderson MP said he would support bringing it back. Even if ultimately I don't agree, I have huge sympathy with the cause. I think some of the reaction to the idea reflects just how out of touch our justice system is with those it is supposed to serve-victims and the public!
At PMQs on Wednesday, I pushed the Prime Minister on my campaign to get a substantial rebuild of Leighton Hospital. You will know that I have been working on this for a long time, and I will continue taking any opportunity to make some progress. You can help personally by signing my petition below:
https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/leighton-hospital-new-build-campaign
Later in the day, we got to hear from President Zelenskyy as he spoke to Parliament during his visit to the UK. He gave a compelling speech on the struggles his country is facing against Russian aggression and thanked the UK for the support we have provided.
It was announced this week that the number of GP staff in Crewe and Nantwich has risen by 33% - although I understand that people are still finding it difficult to get an appointment. One of the things the Government are trying to do with GP practices is to expand the workforce because that can help us manage demand and improve care.
This week is National Apprenticeship Week. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for young people to gain new skills and should be considered a valuable alternative to University. That is why it is positive news that, from autumn, students will be able to search and apply for apprenticeships alongside University courses through the UCAS system.
Finally, I met with Kellogg's in Parliament to hear more about their breakfast club grants. Schools can use these grants to invest in any aspect of their breakfast clubs, from equipment and food to volunteer pay and learning materials.
Schools can apply here:
https://www.tfaforms.com/445397
Have a great weekend.
PMQs - Leighton Hospital
Nothing Wrong With Seeing a Nurse, Pharmacist, Physio or Psychologist
Zelenskyy in Parliament
The Death Penalty - What do you think?
National Apprenticeship Week
Kellogg's Breakfast Club
Traffic Report
PMQs - Leighton Hospital
At this week's Prime Minister's Questions, I once again pushed the PM on my campaign to get a rebuild of Leighton Hospital! You can support me with this campaign by signing my petition via the link below:
https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/leighton-hospital-new-build-campaign
I understand that the NHS is under pressure and things are difficult. Despite record numbers of staff, demand is up even more. That is why the agreement that the NHS will, for the first time, get an independently verified workforce plan is so important. An ageing population means more demand.
I know people want to be paid more, but I think we should keep the ongoing extra spending to remain focused on continuing to expand the workforce. We have more than 10,000 more nurses than a year ago and are on course to meet the 50,000 pledge. Increased and them not being evenly spread means staff don't feel the reduced pressure on them.
Nothing Wrong With Seeing a Nurse, Pharmacist, Physio or Psychologist
Now I know many people find it hard to get a GP appointment. It doesn't feel like we have 33% more staff locally! We need even more capacity.
But one of the things we are trying to do with GP practices is to expand the workforce because that can help us manage demand and improve care! As a doctor myself, if I wasn't sure about a medication, I would happily discuss it with a pharmacist. If I had injured my knee or pulled my back, I would happily see a physiotherapist. We have actually got 33% more primary care staff locally. But - the problem I am being told by local GPs is patients don't want to see anyone but the GP. I would gently encourage everyone to rethink that! You can be seen quicker and save money for spending in other areas of the NHS and importantly still get great care. If the physio isn't sure they will be able to manage your issue, then they can refer you to your GP. Same with a pharmacist and other professionals. This doesn't mean we haven't got to do more to recruit more GPs to manage rising demand, but that takes years- I encourage you not to turn down care from the rest of the highly qualified workforce if it is suggested for you!
Have you had a good experience with the nurse, physio, pharmacist or someone else locally?
Zelenskyy in Parliament
President Zelensky gave a powerful speech in Parliament about the strength of the bond now built between our two countries and the extraordinary sacrifice his people make every day for their country.
He said, "Your King is a pilot. Our pilots are Kings," and presented our Speaker with the helmet-their crown-from one of their top pilots.
We were the first to supply weapons and training to Ukraine, and I hope we continue to lead the way. Their victory is all of the freedom loving worlds victory.
The Death Penalty - What Do You Think?
Even if I think ultimately for practical reasons and unintended consequences it shouldn't be brought back, I am always amazed at the absolute hysteria that breaks out whenever anyone suggests this when it would be supported by the public with the worst offenders and in some cases can certainly be argued for morally.
It actually reflects the HUGE disconnect between what the public want from a justice system that is supposed to serve them and what has become "acceptable" to say and think. Heaven forbid if you want to prioritise punishment and put victims first! Then you must be some kind of backward unintelligent person. Justice isn't abstract, it should be focused on what victims want it to be.
Look at our "life sentence". Average time served is about 16 years. Often reported as "jailed for life" it is far from it. But in my experience overwhelmingly people think murder should see you serving most, if not all, of the rest of your life in prison. That happens in a tiny handful of cases.
I think it is good for Lee to be making an argument for this and reflecting what a lot of people think.
National Apprenticeship Week
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, where we highlight the fantastic opportunity apprenticeships provide young people. I know from speaking to apprentices that they are great alternatives to University - giving them a way to gain valuable skills while earning a wage.
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We are lucky to have so many excellent local providers of these, such as Cheshire College - South & West Apprenticeships and Crewe Engineering & Design UTC, as well as fantastic employers of apprenticeships like Bentley Motors and ALSTOM.
School leavers must be presented with all possible choices before deciding on their future.
That is why it is positive news that, from this autumn, UCAS (the service used for university applications) will also allow people to search for and apply to apprenticeship programmes.
This is a great way to better advertise these programmes and will help put apprenticeships on an equal footing to traditional academic qualifications.
Find out more here:
If you or someone you know may be interested in an apprenticeship, click below to search for available opportunities:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.
Kellogg's Breakfast Clubs
In Parliament this week, I met with representatives from Kellogg's to hear more about their breakfast club programme.
Kellogg's offers grants of £1,000 to school breakfast clubs to help them provide breakfast to those children who need it most. A limited number of grants are available, so priority will be given to those schools that have 35% and above of children in receipt of pupil premium funding.
The grant can be used by schools to invest in any aspect of their breakfast clubs, from equipment and food to volunteer pay and learning materials.
Schools can apply for a grant here:
https://www.tfaforms.com/445397
Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal
You will undoubtedly have seen the terrible images of Turkey and Syria following the strong Earthquakes they have suffered.
The UK is sending search and rescue specialists, dogs and equipment to help those affected.
If you are able to, you can personally support an appeal from the British Red Cross here:
https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead, as reported by Cheshire East.
Middlewich Road - Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/KieranMullanUK/posts/pfbid0anK63SQyzag2hqXJvW19BiFzNZoUdFKs7g57q7jr4tz2DBMbPVXqAJy9fxZQpNwel
Goddard Street, Crewe - 30th January until 31st March
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - 16th January until 14th April
Lime Tree Avenue, Crewe - 19th January until 3rd March
Flag Lane, Crewe - 18th January until 10th April
Delamere Street (Between Flag Lane and Saint Mary's Street) - 18th January until 10th April