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Briefing on Gatwick
LAST Friday was hectic to say the least. It was my usual day of visits in and around my constituency but I covered more miles than normal.
Now I know that doesn't sound very eco-friendly but sometimes it happens that way – particularly when we have a number of pressing local issues and other people's diaries to consider as well as mine.
I started at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. Although not strictly in my patch, it does treat a lot of people from the Horsham area and, along with Horsham Hospital, it's also very valued by local residents.
I'd arranged to meet with the chairman and chief executive of the trust to learn more about the secrets of their success, particularly why the hospital is so highly rated by both patients and the health authorities.
The secret seems to be its Foundation Trust status, which means it has more autonomy than regular trusts. It's able to recruit its own board and set its own targets, rather than respond to central government diktat.
The result is happy patients and a double 'excellent' award from the Healthcare Commission – quite a contrast to the failing East Surrey Hospital down the road, with its trust's recent award of fifth worst rate of MRSA in the country.
Next stop was the Haandi Roti take-away in Copthorne. Despite being forced to close their post office, the owners have ensured that their newly transformed business remains a thriving part of the local community.
I then had two official openings to attend – first, the Roffey Children and Family Centre, a fantastic facility for local families. There were plenty of tots enjoying themselves and it's obviously already cherished by local parents.
Hoping that their business will become an equally valued part of the community are the owners of the Lost Monkey Caf in Nightingale Road, Horsham. They pride themselves on serving locally sourced produce and I'm delighted to see a new family business – they're a real antidote to the last few months' doom and gloom.
Just before my usual end of the day advice surgery, I popped back across to Gatwick Airport for a meeting with its managing director.
Although not the most convenient time, I was very keen to have a full briefing on exactly where they are with the sale of the airport and also an update on possible plans for a second runway – an issue that reared its head again just before Christmas.
Readers will know that I'm firmly against a second runway, but I'm keen to see Gatwick, a significant local employer, continue to flourish and expand as a single-runway airport.
It's a controversial issue but as ever I'm keen to hear readers' views…
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Thunderstorm
Temperature: 14 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
