On Tuesday Jonathon Shaw, the Minister for Disabled People came to Hastings.
Our day was dedicated to seeing first hand what's happening in Hastings to improve the lives of its citizens, especially.
First we visited the Employment Opportunities group who work to find job training and placements for people with disabilitie
s. The meeting was enlightening and we were able to talk to some of the people who have been able to take advantage of what Employment Opportunities does. One young woman is fluent in German, another is being trained to work in the care industry. They are remarkable people who have done all they can to help themselves; Employment Opportunities gives them a boost and a shot of confidence. I commend them and many more such groups for what they are doing for the disabled community of Hastings and Rye, as well as the extraordinary people they have helped and what they have achieved.
Jonathan and I then travelled down to Station Plaza for a presentation on where we are with the new health centre. We then were able to help lay the foundation for the building! It really is going to be a remarkable place and will change the lives of many of the citizens within Hastings. It has space for 10 GPs to practice, including a full dental suite, the ground floor will be predominantly a walk in clinic, and it will have the capacity to undertake minor surgeries.
This amazing new facility for the community could not have happened without any of the many factors that went into creating it. Following widespread consultation the building now perfectly suits the needs of our area. The funding was provided by a £15 million government grant. The Government has made a large push to boost funding for the NHS nationally, and we were a major benefactor of their scheme.
With this centre we can provide maternity and pre-natal care to expecting mothers, diagnostic services for those suffering from unknown causes, provide a convenient and safe place to pick up prescriptions and see your doctor about an ailment. With this centre Hastings will become a healthier place, and a centre of medical advancement. We already have a great hospital and superb GPs in the town and this new centre will really compliment their work.
I thank Jonathon Shaw for joining me on Tuesday to witness first hand some of the good work going on in our town. Also, I would like to thank him for the kind and generous words he gave at the foundation ceremony. By recognizing the efforts of all who have been involved in getting this major building project off the ground, we validate and recognize everything they have done and pledge our full support throughout this endeavour.
