Fight on to save cottage hospital
One of the most enduring issues of recent times in Dumfries and Galloway constituency has been the loss of normal cottage hospital services at Newton Stewart.
I have raised the issue on behalf of constituents with the local NHS on a number of occasions but I regret to say have so far not received any positive indication that this valued facility will return to being a fully-functioning community hospital in the near future.
A stranger looking at a map of south-west Scotland would clearly understand why Newton Stewart Hospital is so greatly missed as it stands at the centre of a large rural catchment area, including the expansive Machers district and the Cree Valley.
Key services such as palliative care, emergency assessment, step-down care after an operation or treatment for a serious condition at a distant general hospital are all greatly missed as is a convenient location to have minor injuries treated.
Campaigners point out that Newton Stewart Hospital, which is more than 120 years old, has a record of community support as demonstrated by the ongoing efforts of the League of Friends, which has raised large sums of money down the decades and also offered practical help.
The distress of families whose relative or friend experiences having end-of-life care far from their local area or in their own home, when that may not be their first choice, is understandably a matter of public concern.
I fully understand NHS Dumfries and Galloway has major financial challenges in the wake of the pandemic and there is, as far as I can see, no obvious sign of the SNP-Green Scottish Government coming to their assistance, whilst many of my constituents in the Newton Stewart area urgently want the restoration of their local hospital made a higher priority with a timetable and action plan.
As the local member of the UK Parliament, I acknowledge that health is a devolved issue to Holyrood but make no apology for raising this concern again in my Free Press column on behalf of deeply worried constituents.
A75 campaign passes milestone
I’m pleased to report that another small, but important, milestone has been reached in efforts to deliver meaningful improvements to the A75.
A business case for projects has been completed by officials at Transport Scotland, an agency of the devolved Scottish Government, and formally submitted to the UK Department of Transport.
I consider this another example of the UK and Scottish Governments working well together, something which at official level frequently happens quietly behind the scenes but is sometimes overshadowed by politics.
This progress now opens the door for both administrations to work together on feasibility studies into projects to improve this vital route.
The A75 was identified as a UK-wide priority for improvements in the Union Connectivity Review, led by Sir Peter Hendy, because of the level of traffic, much of it freight, travelling to and from the Cairnryan ferry port services with Northern Ireland.
My hope is that the SNP-Green Scottish Government, which has devolved responsibility for transport, will also look favourably at potential improvements to the A77 which carries traffic between Cairnryan and Scotland’s central belt and is important to my Wigtownshire constituents.
I appreciate though, the Green part of the partnership are less than enthusiastic about new road projects.
Fishing industry fearful of rules
I’ve had representations from within the fishing community in Dumfries and Galloway concerned about the potential impact of proposed strict additional restrictions being considered at Holyrood.
The SNP-Green coalition are look at introducing Highly Protected Marine Areas as a controversial conservation measure which could impact on 10-per-cent of coastal waters around Scotland.
This would be in addition to up to 40-per-cent of Scottish waters which already have some form of restriction on them.
There is genuine concern that if the proposed strict new measures are brought in they could cost businesses and jobs in the inshore fishing sector.
I will work with my MSP party colleagues in their efforts to oppose this threat to this important industry.
Testing cleaner cars for future
It may have seemed an unlikely venue for an international motorsport event in the past but an upland area of Dumfries and Galloway recently proved an ideal setting.
The rugged, although spectacularly scenic, partly man-made landscape at Glenmucklock, in the Lowther Hills, demonstrated the qualities needed to successfully host two grand finals in the international Extreme E series.
On a visit as Secretary of State for Scotland, I was struck by the scale, organisation and infrastructure required for what was a two-day international TV audience-focused event, involving the creation of a tented ‘village’ at the former open cast mine, which has only limited access routes.
With views of wind turbines on the horizon and well-advanced plans for the site to be used as a pumped storage hydro (PSH) power generating plant, I felt it appropriate that this relatively new innovative generation of motorsport is dedicated to being as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.
Not only are the cars electric powered, they're charged on site from hydrogen fuel generated from water and solar energy through a unit used at the often remote off-grid venues where Extreme E championships are staged worldwide.
As someone enthusiastic about further development of hydrogen as a future mainstream clean fuel, I believe, as with space exploration, motorsport advances can also generate positive technology for much wider use.
I also welcome associated ‘legacy’ conservation and environmental work, including tree planting, being supported by Extreme E along the near-by River Nith.
With warm sunny weather on the Saturday and dreich wet conditions 24 hours later, the contrasting challenges at Glenmucklock were, I’m assured, appreciated by the organisers and competitors and there was speculation a return visit to Dumfries and Galloway had not been ruled out.
Big weekend to remember
My wife Ann and I have fond memories of the recent Coronation weekend, which, in my Scotland Office role, included attending the service and ceremonies in Westminster Abbey and the concert in Windsor Castle gardens.
Both events were thoughtfully organised and choreographed and brought together a huge TV audience across the UK and far beyond.
I was pleased that a number of constituents joined the congregation in the Abbey and some were in the audience at Windsor Castle. With many celebratory events across the constituency, it was a national milestone not to be forgotten.
Welcome news on coverings
Another notable event took place earlier this month when NHS Scotland formally lifted their guidelines on the extended use of face coverings in health and social care settings as part of efforts to restrict the spread of COVID-19.
The decision reflects high uptake of vaccines, availability of treatments and reduced severity of the illness and hospitalisations. Using coverings still remains an option but the decision is welcome news indeed.
Change of direction on cards
Finally, readers may have noticed in the national media this week reports that I would be stepping down as your MP at the next general election, whenever that may be.
This will not come as a surprise to regular Free Press readers as this is something I shared with you on this page some months ago.
The fresh media interest was triggered by inaccurate speculation that I would be stepping down early.
As I’ve stated in the past, I consider it an honour and a privilege to serve as your representative at Westminster and also in the role as Secretary of State for Scotland.
I had always planned, if re-elected, to complete two full terms at Westminster so I will, of course, continue to devote all my energy to representing Dumfries and Galloway constituency and assist you in any way I can right up to when a new MP is chosen at the next general election.