The parliamentary recess has afforded me the opportunity to attend a number of local meetings on weekdays. Normally I am in London from Monday morning until Thursday night.
I attended the meeting in Ayr Town Hall on the review of health services. The first question I asked was the reason that similar meetings would not be held in any part of Carrick and Cumnock. I was quoted in response the number of meetings that had previously been held on Accident and Emergency throughout Ayrshire and Arran. I know these meetings were well attended because I attended some of them. This reflected the high level of public concern about the proposals which as far as I can see has not gone away. A further meeting should have been held in Carrick but it was good to see that local people still turned up and certainly put forward their views.
And it is vital that the Health Board take on board the views of the public in their actions if they really are sensitive to public concerns. There is still time for the project team to reconsider the proposals that are put to the Health Board.
I subsequently met with Professor Bill Stevely the Interim Chair of the Health Board. I found that he has a long record of public service and has previous experience in dealing with difficult and controversial matters. I hope this stands us in good stead. Because our National Health Service remains a proud achievement.
As far as the big picture is concerned there is much to be welcomed – especially the reassurance that Ayr Hospital will be retained as a District General Hospital and the enhancement of community hospital facilities at Girvan and Cumnock. These can build on the huge steps forward with for example, five hundred more nurses locally and unprecedented levels of investment to tackle issues such as waiting lists.
But the Health Board has a responsibility to ensure that changes have public confidence and they have failed to convince as far as Accident and Emergency is concerned.

Local Surgeries

Throughout the year I hold regular sugeries in the main localities of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock but I am happy that with such a big area to cover I can use the recess to get around as many places as possible. Local adverts and posters will let you know when I am in your area, but you are welcome to attend any of the surgeries. No appointment necessary.

National Security and the Threat at Airports

Following the security incident on 10th August the Police are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid flight explosions, causing considerable loss of life. To do everything possible to minimise the ongoing risk, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the threat level in the UK to the highest level of threat. This is the level known as CRITICAL. This was a precautionary measure based on the possibility of further terrorist activity in the immediate aftermath of the action taken by the Police.
It also meant that a serious of extra security measures were put in place for a limited period at all UK airports. This caused major disruption to passengers which I know from my own experience can be very frustrating. But the measures are there to ensure maximum safety for passengers on flights.
It is now a fact of life that we are all going to be put under increased scrutiny  which is not a comfortable feeling in a democratic country. But it is clear that the threat is real and I think that the Police and the security services did an excellent job in preventing what appears to be a planned attack which would have had devastating effects.

Foreign Affairs Recall

At the same time as bringing in stringent security measures we must also look very carefully at our foreign policy and do all we can to promote peace in the Middle East. There is no doubt that the many complex issues in that region have a deep effect on Muslim opinion throughout the world.
I welcome the new Middle East television channel which will be introduced by the BBC World Service as one way of improving communication.
I also welcome the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hizbolllah which was brokered by the United Nations and hope to see a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon as soon as possible. I will be getting the chance to question the Foreign Office Minister, Kim Howels,  shortly as my select committee has been recalled in September due to the current crisis.