Local MP Alan Mak has congratulated and thanked local NHS workers as the Health Service celebrates its 75th Birthday this month.
Mr Mak also reflected on the work he has done to improve local healthcare services and outcomes locally.
The National Health Service, which was established in 1948, replaced an existing network of private healthcare providers. The old system was defined by its lack of universal access, with the majority of services only being accessible to those who could afford them.
Alan has worked closely with NHS officials throughout his time as Havant Constituency MP. In January 2023 he joined Queen Alexandra Hospital Chief Executive Penny Emerit to launch construction of a new £58 million emergency department, which will benefit people in the Havant Constituency with increased capacity to respond to health emergencies. Construction is expected to be completed by winter 2024.
In 2021 Mr Mak also opened the Emsworth Surgery after a 6-year campaign which included securing NHS funding and successfully stopping the sale of the Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital (EVCH) in 2028. His work leading the campaign included organising and chairing meetings with the NHS clinical commissioning group (CCG), doctors and community representatives to push for a new surgery to be constructed on the existing site, as well as petitioning the Government for extra funding to be made available. The new Emsworth Surgery is already a valued community asset used by local residents.
In 2022, Mr Mak launched his first ever Havant Constituency Health and Wellbeing Fair. The new Fair aimed to inform residents of the Havant Constituency about source of local healthcare and advice, as well as provide advice and guidance to those wanting to maintain their good health especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fair proved to be very popular and was run again in May 2023, with plans to run the Fair again in 2024.
In Parliament, Alan also conceived the NHS Reserves Bill, which introduced a new system of volunteer reservists for the NHS in England modelled on existing successful reservist systems for the Armed Forces and Police Special Constables. The Bill secured backing from the Health Secretary and other prominent members of the Government and Conservative Party, and the policy has been adopted by the Government. Thanks to Alan’s idea, anybody with skills that may be useful to the NHS may sign up to become a reservist.
Reservists are divided into two classes. The first of these two classes, clinical reservists, are people who hold medical qualifications and maintain those qualifications. However non-clinical reservists can come from any trade that might help the NHS during tough times. These might include but are not limited to drivers, logistics experts, IT professionals and communications experts.
In 2023, Mr Mak worked with healthcare leaders on Hayling Island to launch the Hayling Health Forum to bring together the Island’s two GP practices and local NHS bodies to improve health outcomes for local residents.”
Local MP Alan Mak said: “Thank you to everyone working locally in the NHS. Throughout my time as local MP I have worked to secure the best possible health outcomes for local residents, including my successful campaigns for a new Emsworth Surgery and a new Emergency Department for Queen Alexandra Hospital which benefits Havant Constituency residents.
ENDS
Picture: Local MP Alan Mak joins Queen Alexandra Hospital Chief Executive Penny Emerit to launch construction of a new £58 million emergency department
