Here are some examples of some recent campaigns that I have been involved in. I send regular updates to my constituents on local issues and campaigns. If you would like to receive these bulletins please email me at thomasgr@parliament.uk with your name, address and e mail.

Future of Mount Vernon Hospital

I am continuing to campaign to keep the cancer centre at Mount Vernon Hospital. Bedfordshire Strategic Health Authority consultation on the Future of Acute Services has been extended until September, it was due to finish this month. Two options have been put forward for the future of Mount Vernon; Option One proposes a redeveloped Hemel Hempstead Hospital with the relocation of the Cancer services transferring onto the site and being built up into a full Cancer Centre. Option Two proposes a new hospital development on a site at Hatfield with the Cancer services transferred there and being built up into a full Cancer Centre. I have always believed that neither of these two options is better than leaving the Cancer Centre at Mount Vernon. I am pleased to be able to inform you that in part, because of the strength of feeling about this issue North West London Strategic Health Authority are running a separate consultation, focusing specifically on cancer services. This looks set to start by mid June and will go on until September (this is why Bedfordshire have extended their consultation).

I raised the strong opposition to the proposal to move Mount Vernon Cancer Centre to another hospital in Hertfordshire at Prime Minister Questions recently. I demanded an assurance from the Prime Minister that if the proposal was eventually put to ministers (at the moment it is just a proposal from the Strategic Health Authority) that no decision is taken before the relevant minister has met with me and a deputation of local people. The Prime Minister acknowledged our concerns and agreed that a minister would be able to meet with Gareth and noted the steady improvement in cancer services across the country.

I will continue to campaign for the Cancer Centre to stay at Mount Vernon.

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Proposals on Pharmacies

The Government are considering their response to the OFT recommendations to Minister to increase competition in pharmaceutical services. I understand from Ministers that they will be considering all the many letters that they have received on this issue, in particular from Members of Parliament, before making a decision. I continue to be hopeful that the OFT proposals will be largely rejected.  I certainly intend to continue campaigning against the proposals. On the 26th March the Government announced that they would respond to the OFT report by proposing a much more balanced package. The Government intends to come forward with proposals before the summer recess and will publish a progress report at the end of June. I have received assurance that these proposals will not diminish the crucial role that pharmacies play. I participated in a debate in the House of Commons to highlight the excellent work of local pharmacies in Harrow and to urge minister to reject the proposal by the OFT.

Safest Borough for Violent Crime

Harrow has the lowest rate of violent crime out of 31 London boroughs according to the Home Office, 46% lower than the capital's average.

Between September 2002 and August 2003, the borough had just 13.7 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 people, compared to the London average of 25.2 incidents per 1,000. These statistics come from the recent Home Office analysis of 'reported crime' which indicated an average 14% rise in violent crime in the UK.  (The rise in violent crime is partly explained by a change in the way such figures are recorded as the category of violent crime has been included to a number of crimes that weren't previously included.)

Ward Based Officers introduced in Harrow

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, will be shortly introducing a ward based scheme of policing. Police officers will be attached to a ward within the Borough and will not be allowed to be moved from that ward. These ward based teams will be made up of 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables and 3 Police Community Support Officers. This is a move toward neighbourhood policing championed by the Metropolitan Police Authority and central government.  Harrow will get the first three wards based at the beginning of April.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's)

Seven Community Support officers have started work recently in Harrow.  Four of the officers will be stationed in Pinner, the other three in Edgware and another nine are due to start in Wealdstone in January. The PCSO's will be able to arrest and detain suspects for up to 30 minutes until a police officer arrives on the scene. They have completed a three week training programme in Charing Cross and 2 weeks at South Harrow Police Station on Northolt Road. PCSOs are civilian police officers who describe themselves as the eyes and ears of the Met Police. They have special powers to deal with issues ranging from issuing fixed penalties for anti-social behaviour to carrying out road checks. Their main purpose, however, is to maintain a highly visible street presence, deterring crime and reassuring the community whilst leaving police officers free to deal with other aspects of crime.

Northwick Park in the Top Ten

I have also highlighted in the House of Commons the steady improvement in care at Northwick Park Hospital, noting the good rating Northwick Park received from the Sunday Times Good Hospitals Guide Northwick Park was named as one of the best for retaining employees; with 60 doctors and 153 nurses for 100 beds. Dr Fosters research looked at the morality rates in hospitals compared with the quality of the internal working practices. Northwick Park's Chief Executive Mr. John Pope said that "Dr Fosters guide reflects the hard work of staff and how it contributes to high quality service, in particular the excellence in cancer, stroke, heart and paediatric services".

Maternity Services

After campaigning for £15 million extra investment in maternity services at Northwick Park, the enabling work is now underway and the building work started this Summer.

Headstone Lane and Hatch End Stations

I have also campaigned for the long overdue refurbishment of the Headstone Lane and Hatch End Stations. In June last year Railtrack and Silverlink after a series of discussions with myself and the Hatch End Association completed £800,000 of work on both stations.

Policing in Harrow

I have met regularly with the local police and representatives of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group and local residents associations. One issue that was raised with me over two years ago was the shortage of cells at Harrow Police Station. This shortage was forcing police to transport some of those they arrested to police stations out of Harrow (for example Colindale, Watford, Charing Cross and Wembley) taking police officers away from their prime purpose of crime prevention and detectives duties.

On occasion 20% of officers on a shift were involved in prisoner transport responsibilities. Working with local groups I met with the Minister for Police, Charles Clarke MP on two occasions and together with the local Chief Superintendent and with Sir John Stephens the Metropolitan Police Commissioner it was agreed to make £400,000 of funding available to build additional cells at Harrow Police Station in Northholt Road, South Harrow. These cells have now been installed and are due to begin active use very shortly. The local police are I understand extremely pleased with this investment, which will free up valuable time.

Local Environment

I have taken up a series of local environmental issues, appearing successfully at a public enquiry to stop 100 homes being built on valuable parkland on Field End Recreation Ground, Rayners Lane. I have also raised in the House of Commons the loophole in planning law, which allows burger bars to be built in certain circumstances, without the need for new planning permission to be sought.

Education

I am currently consulting with school governing bodies, local colleagues, parents and councillors about the provision of post-16 education in Harrow. Many parents are I know concerned about local colleges and send their children to out of borough schools, which have sixth forms. I have met recently with Peter Pledger, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council who will take over responsibility in April for all post-16 education provision in West London.