Maintaining a healthy NHS is vital

THERE has been a great deal of renewed scrutiny of the government's NHS reforms in the past week.

However, most of the more recent debate centred not around the facts of the proposals but about the political implications of even daring to pose the question of whether this country's most precious institution could be run in a more sustainable way.

Wherever you stand on the politics of reform, I think the key policy imperative remains sound – to remove as many tiers of non-clinical expense as possible so that free-to-all healthcare at the point of need remains a reality in this country for generations to come.

The government's duty is to prepare the NHS for the challenges of the next 50 years, not just continue to patch it up, adding more and more layers of middle management, without taking account of the fundamental shift in the demographics of his country.

Vastly increased numbers of people will be living for longer with chronic conditions, needing more integrated home-based programmes of care, defined by local GPs, rather than just emergency intervention.

Change is never easy but adopting an ostrich attitude and not facing up to the coming crisis is not an option that any responsible government can afford to contemplate.

My correspondents on the issue have been, without exception, well-informed and passionate about the NHS. I recognise change is concerning but realising we are all on the same side and seeking ways to ensure the long-term survival of the NHS is a good starting point.

* Another busy weekend of constituency engagements beckon and this week I will be connecting with local business leaders.

It has also been a week of excellent news for the Wilton eco-park development project, which has won a £52,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to roll out a programme of energy awareness activities.

I am a huge admirer of the project and I think it is worth remembering that the old UKLF site is already earmarked for housing – the only question is whether it is to be purchased and developed with the direct input of local people who have a distinctive vision for maximising the volume of affordable housing and a plan enabling "green jobs" to be created. I look forward to attending the latest public meeting on Saturday in Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton at 11am.