Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, visits Moin’s Chemist
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Friday July 29 2016 |
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| Jon visited Moin’s Chemist and Wellbeing Centre to see at first hand the important work that community pharmacies undertake in Leicester. |
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Jon said: “The Government’s reduction in its funding of Community Pharmacies will result in the closure of around 60 community pharmacies in the City, including 20 in my constituency of Leicester South.”
“The savings the Government claim simply don’t add up. What’s more, many of my constituents will be adversely affected by not having access to a pharmacy in their local area.”
Changes to the Department of Health’s funding for community pharmacies will see a reduction of £170 million, which is 6% of the budget.
Ms Luvjit Kandula, Chief Executive, Leicestershire Community Pharmacies Committee, states that: “Local health services in our area, such as GP practices and hospitals, could come under yet more pressure in the future as changes to community pharmacy services lead to a surge in demand. Community pharmacies are much more than just places to get medicines. They provide a range of NHS services and ensure local people can get face-to-face professional healthcare advice without an appointment.”
“We and the national pharmacy organisations are very concerned about the impact that the Government’s proposals could have on the patients who use those pharmacies every day. Rather than reducing pharmacy services, we believe they should be making better use of this network of healthcare locations in the heart of local communities, allowing them to offer a range of additional services that would both suit patients and reduce pressure on other healthcare services.”
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Patients and the local communities will be adversely affected if these closures go ahead. Many patients are reluctant to see their GP for minor matters, such as rashes, but they will consult a community pharmacist, especially if they have previously visited the pharmacy to collect a prescription.
Moin, the owner of Moni’s Chemist, commented:
“Every day we see patients in Leicester who rely on the services that we can offer them, whether because they need a medicine urgently or because they want to talk to a health professional quickly, without the need for an appointment. Without us, where would these people go?”
“The Government plans to reduce funding and make other changes to community pharmacy are really worrying for pharmacy owners as most of us rely on NHS funding for more than 90% of our income. I very much hope that they will reconsider the plans and allow us to keep helping the people of Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland to stay healthy and well.”
| Top photo, Jon discussing the importance of Community Pharmacies with Ms Kandula (the Chief executive of Leicestershire Community Pharmacies Committee) and Moin, middle photo, Jon with (left to right) Ms Kandula and Mrs Patel who has used Moin’s Chemist for 40 years, bottom photo, Jon with Ms Kandula and the team at Moin’s Chemist and Wellbeing Centre |
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Jon Ashworth MP demands that the government rethinks its plans
to abolish NHS bursaries |
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Monday July 25 2016 |
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Despite the Government’s reshuffle it is still planning to abolish NHS bursaries for those studying to become nurses, midwives and allied health professionals after August 2017.
Jon said: “If Theresa May really wishes to create a country that works for everyone, where the concerns of ordinary working class families are respected, and which tackles inequality for women, then she will abandon this disastrous policy that began under Cameron.”
Twenty leading organisations and charities have written an open letter to the Prime Minister backing UNISON’s call for a pause to this policy. These organisations include the Royal College of Nursing, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Midwives.
Jon commented: “It is clear to everyone, except the Government, that the loss of bursaries threatens to reduce the supply of future nurses and midwives at a time when patient demand is rising.”
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“At De Montfort University there are approaching 1,500 students who currently receive NHS bursaries. They are studying nursing, midwifery and speech therapy.”
“Nursing and healthcare students fundamentally differ from the wider student population. They are predominantly female, older, more likely to have caring responsibilities and come from a lower socio-economic background. Many of these people will be unwilling or unable to take on £50,000 worth of debt and their vital contribution will be lost.”
Jon went on to point out that: “Nursing and healthcare students do not have the same options to find outside work to support themselves as others at university. They are a key part of the NHS workforce, working early, late night and weekend shifts.”
UNISON is committed to working with the Government to find a solution for our future NHS workforce but the current policy is not supported by an evidence base and could pose a risk to patient safety. |
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| Jon speaking in parliament |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, was Out-and-About in
Saffron speaking to residents |
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Friday July 22 2016 |
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| Photo: Jon with (left to right), Patrick, Jane and Councillor Shelton |
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Jon Ashworth MP was out and about on one of his regular Roving Advice Sessions
Jon said: “Last week I was in Eyres Monsell, and this week I was on the Saffron Lane Estate. It is always worth speaking to local people to find out what may be concerning them. It was good seeing some familiar faces and meeting people for the first time.”
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Jon will be in different areas of the Constituency on most Fridays. If you want Jon to visit your street and meet with local residents then contact his office on 251 1927 or email [email protected]
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, calls into The Lunch Club at
Eyres Monsell Community Centre
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Friday July 22 2016 |
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Jon Ashworth MP called into the Lunch Club at Eyres Monsell Community Centre on Hillsborough Road.
Jon said: “It is always good to pop in and see new and familiar faces at the Lunch Club in Eyres Monsell. The volunteers at the Lunch club do a fantastic job.”
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“The soup was delicious and it was great to find out that the vegetables for it were actually grown in the Centre’s garden.”
The Lunch Club is open every Friday afternoon
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| Photo left; Jon with local residents at the Lunch Club, photo middle; Jon enjoying his soup, photo above; Jon with the Chef |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, was out in Eyres Monsell
talking to residents |
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Friday July 15 2016 |
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Jon Ashworth MP was out and about on one of his regular Roving Advice Sessions.
Jon was joined in Eyres Monsell with local Ward Councillor Rory Palmer.
Jon said: “It is always good listening to residents’ concerns within my Constituency. The local Councillors and I are here to help at all times. I spoke to a lot of local people and will take up their issues.“ |
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Jon will be in different areas of the Constituency on most Fridays. If you want Jon to visit your street and meet with local residents then contact his office on 251 1927 or email j[email protected].
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| Photo: From left to right Councillor Palmer, Jane, Jon and Barrie |
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Jon Ashworth MP marks Srebrenica Memorial Day by honouring those who were murdered during the genocide 21 years ago
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Monday July 11 2016 |
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Jon signed the Remembering Srebrenica Book of Pledges, promising to play his part in ensuring that the lessons from the genocide are learnt and community cohesion is strengthened in Leicester.
Today, 11 July, marks the 21st anniversary of the worst atrocity on European soil since World War Two when over 8,000 men and boys were murdered just because of their faith.
The Charity Remembering Srebrenica, which organises memorial events across the UK, says that this year it is time to act to counter the rising threat of Hate Crime in the UK.
Jon said: “Srebrenica Memorial Day reminds us all that a shocking genocide took place only 21 years ago and this should never be forgotten, and it reminds us of the victims and survivors of Srebrenica.”
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“But the Memorial Day also has lessons for today. In light of the increase of hate crimes since the Referendum, the Memorial Day teaches us of the importance of working together to make our own community a place of safety that welcomes and cherishes diversity.”
Srebrenica Memorial Week takes places from 10th – 17th July, with hundreds of local commemorative events taking place across the country arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations, as well as UK and national events taking place in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast remembering the victims of the genocide.
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, visits Coleman Primary School
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Friday July 8 2016 |
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Jon visited Coleman Primary School to congratulate staff and pupils on its recent Ofsted Report, and watched a brilliant performance by the school’s choir and orchestra.
Jon said: “It was really good visiting Coleman Primary School again. The pupils and the staff have worked tremendously hard and deserve the ‘good’ Ofsted rating. To go from ‘requiring improvement’ to ‘good’ is a fantastic achievement.”
Following the inspection in April, Coleman Primary was rated “good” by Ofsted. Inspectors identified pastoral support as one of the biggest strengths of the school, and commented on how pupils were happy and that the Governors were fully involved with the school.
The Inspector said the effectiveness of Coleman Primary was linked to the local school's partnership. Coleman Primary is part of Development Group Five in the city and works with five other local primaries and three secondary schools to share good practice.
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Nigel Bruen, Head teacher, commented: “I would like to thank Jon for showing his support for local schools. They have all been working hard in the face of constant and massive change. Jon’s visit gives the school a chance to show and celebrate the musical side of the wider curriculum.
We trust that Jon will continue to represent the concerns of city schools, such as the cuts to funding, at the national level.”
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| Photos left top, Jon with the Head teacher, Nigel Bruen, photo left bottom, Jon congratulating the children on their brilliant performances |
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Jon Ashworth MP, for Leicester South, fasted as part of Ramadan |
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Friday July 1 2016 |
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Jon has completed a day’s fast in previous years, and today repeated the experience.
Speaking before his fast, Jon said: “Ramadan is such an important and holy time for thousands of my constituents in Leicester South. I would like to show the importance of inclusion and diversity to my constituents, and most importantly appreciate Ramadan on a deeper level.”
Jon started the day early in the morning with Sehri at 12.30am at the house of Councillor Aminur Thalukdar.
Jon commented: “My day followed the usual pattern of a day in my constituency – I visited Crown Hill Community College, met constituents, and appeared on radio shows. It was challenging, but this is my way to appreciate such a wonderfully diverse city.”
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Jon will then broke his fast at The Big Iftar, at The Central Mosque on Conduit Street.
Honorary Alderman Malik M Salim MBE, Chairman of The Islamic Centre Leicester, commented: “Ramadan is a month of charity, compassion, hospitality and neighbourliness. It is a very special time of year. It is in such spirit that the Islamic Centre Leicester is holding a multi faith Big Iftar.”
“By bringing together people from all walks of life, all faiths and no faith, and by sharing Iftar we were promoting religious harmony and community cohesion. I am very pleased that our MP Jon Ashworth broke his fast with us.”
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Jon Ashworth MP visits Crown Hill Community College
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Friday July 1 2016 |
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Jon visited Crown Hills Community College to discuss the ‘Send My Friend To School’ campaign run by The Global Campaign for Education. This organisation aims to ensure that all children receive quality education and has members in over 100 countries.
As well as receiving the letters created by the pupils at Crown Hills, Jon will debate the issue of children’s education and answer questions on his role as a Member of Parliament.
Speaking after the visit, Jon said: “As always, it was great to visit Crown Hills and listening to the pupils’ presentations. It was clear that the pupils are very aware of what is happening in the world and they can certainly come up with some challenging questions.”
This campaign has been running since 2005, and last year half a million children sent world leaders messages to their MPs. When world leaders met in September 2015 at the UN they agreed a new goal to ensure that every child receives a quality education up to the age of 15 years old.
Salma Owen, Head of Key Stage 4, commented: “It is important to us that our children not only learn about global issues but learn how they can make a difference to the world. We aim to cultivate an interest in both local and global issues to empower our students. We believe it is important for them to take an active interest and be well informed about the world they live in.”
“Jon Ashworth’s visit allows our students to build positive relations with the world of politics and serves to teach our students that their voice does count.”
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In the UK the campaign seeks to increase community awareness of the state of education internationally and generate the political will necessary to ensure the UK plays an active and effective part in efforts to secure education for all.
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| Photo top left; Hajrah Sedat giving her presentation, top right, Abdi Mittal giving his presentation. Photo bottom left. Jon listening to the pupils’ presentations with the Principal, Bernadette Green, bottom right, group shot with the pupils |
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