BROMSGROVE MP Bradley Thomas writes for the Standard.
IT HAS been a successful start to 2025, with big wins on the promises I have made to you.
First, you may remember that I have been fighting to save the Children’s Hospice Grant. This is vital Government funding which supports hospices like Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Last year, Acorns, headquartered in Wythall, warned that, for the first time in its history, it would have to turn away children in need if vital Government funding did not continue.
That’s why I wrote to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget and attended a Parliamentary debate on funding for children’s hospices where I backed Acorns’ fight for continued funding.
I’m pleased to say, after working with hospices, I have helped to secure the extension of this vital funding for children’s hospices. The Government has confirmed hospices for children and young people will receive a further £26million revenue funding for 2025/26.
It is, however, disappointing the Government has failed to guarantee the funding for at least five years and increase it by the rate of inflation every year as hospices and I had called for.
I’ll continue to work with Acorns and the hospice sector to ensure it receives the long-term funding to it enable to be there for every child and family who needs them.
Second, as part of My Plan for Bromsgrove and the Villages, in which I promised to campaign for better local GP access, I have been campaigning for more GP appointments for local residents.
Last November I wrote to the chief executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, urging him to increase the number of GP appointments.
I’m delighted that, after asking for more appointments, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire has confirmed that, as part of its Winter Plan for 2024/25, it has added nearly 7,000 additional appointments for residents in Bromsgrove district to access over the coming year.
I look forward to continuing to work with our local NHS to improve the health services we all rely on.
Working together with local organisations and partners, I’ve made a good start on delivering on the promises I’ve made to you, but of course there’s much more to do in the year ahead.
As always, if there’s anything I can do to help then please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
My contact details are available at: bradleythomas.org.uk and you can also sign up to my e-newsletter which provides regular updates on the progress I’m making on the promises I’ve made to you.
