My own experiences locally of the NHS have always been very positive. My visit to Chippenham Community Hospital last week reinforced the work being done at a local level to ensure all patients receive the best possible care. The new Cedar ward in Chippenham is excellent and the new Beech ward due to open at the end of January really shows the kind of hospital facilities patients across the UK should experience.

Thank you to Elizabeth Sexton, Chairman of The League of Friends of Chippenham Hospital, for arranging the visit.

The League of Friends was founded over 60 years ago, and still does fantastic work for the hospital. Elizabeth is an inspiration to others, having been a volunteer for over 30 years.

Initial analysis of responses received suggests residents have very strong views on the importance of local healthcare services.  In particular residents are very supportive of Conservative plans to stop the scandal of mixed-sex wards, and to provide a single room for every patient who wants one when going into hospital for planned care. In Wiltshire we are lucky to have hospitals that do not have mix sex wards, however, over the country, this scandal is allowed to continue – we need change!

I am delighted with the news this week about improved NHS dental services in Chippenham, as responses show great support to ensure everyone can access an NHS dentist.

Here in Wiltshire we have suffered more than most from Gordon Brown’s NHS cuts, I am determined to continue my campaign to get our fair share of NHS investment locally, in particular to secure improvements for our local hospitals in Chippenham and Melksham.  I am proud of the NHS and am again visiting Chippenham hospital in the run up to Christmas to thank the staff for their hard work.