I am writing to give you some local updates as well as informing you of what I'm doing as your MP in this incredibly difficult time.

I want to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone for abiding by the social distancing guidance.

We are starting to see the coronavirus infection rate come down, and that's thanks to so many people following public health guidance to stay at home.

I appreciate what a challenge this is for so many of us, and I have been urging Government to share its thinking on options it is considering for how it might start to lift the lockdown when experts advise it's appropriate.

Local updates and useful information:

Meeting with Kingston Hospital

I had a very positive update from Jo Farrar, the Chief Executive of Kingston Hospital and Mairead McCormick, the Chief Operating Officer last week.

The Hospital is coping well with the coronavirus outbreak and the leadership team believes that the peak of infections has now passed.

Jo Farrar told me that this is a reflection of the response to lockdown and social distancing measures introduced by the Government, and paid tribute to the local community who have responded so effectively.

I was reassured to hear that the hospital has sufficient supplies of PPE for its staff and they are confident that they have enough oxygen to treat patients who need it.

Staff absences due to coronavirus symptoms are lower than expected; all staff can be tested on site and the results received within 24 hours.

The hospital is seeing lower than usual rates of admissions for non-coronavirus related conditions and I want to re-emphasise that if you are at all concerned about your health – especially if you have an underlying condition – please continue to visit your GP as normal.

Finally, the hospital wants to say a huge thank you to the local community for their incredible support.

Over £200,000 has been raised for the Kingston Hospital Charity since the lockdown began, and the hospital staff have been very moved by the gifts of everything from homemade masks to hot food that have been donated from individuals and businesses across the area.

It has meant a great deal to the people working on the front line, and those supporting them during this difficult time, to know how many members of the public are thinking of them and showing their appreciation.

New business support programme

Richmond Council and StartUp Richmond have launched a virtual business support programme. The programme offers practical help on how to build strength and resilience during and after the coronavirus pandemic.

Find out more here

Other key information

For all local information and updates, please see the council website.

If you or someone who you know needs support, please contact the Community Hub on 0208 871 6555 or at [email protected].

For all medical enquiries please continue to contact the NHS on 111.nhs.uk or on 111.

If you are an individual, business or local voluntary group wanting to help,

Please sign up to Richmond CVS here

Standing up for your concerns

Protective equipment and testing

I have been in calls with Ministers over the last week urging them to boost PPE supplies for Richmond and local social care providers, as well as improve access to testing for key workers and those in care homes.

Now that Parliament has reconvened, largely virtually, I have continued to press the government on PPE for social care.

I asked the Health Secretary about his plans seven weeks ago. Yet today, social care providers are still not receiving enough PPE and the Clipper system, which was meant to distribute PPE from 6th April, is still delayed.

I raised the issue again with Michael Gove last week. But I did still not receive a clear answer.

New job starters

Most local residents who started a new job in March cannot get government furlough support due to the scheme's 19th March cut-off date.

This is leading to immense financial hardship for many. Therefore, I've recently signed two parliamentary motions to put pressure on the government to help them.

Mental Health

I have continued to lead a cross-party campaign on mental health. My recent letter to Matt Hancock was signed by 30 MPs and peers calling for the government to urgently develop a long-term strategy to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus on the nation's mental health.

The letter urges the Government to:

1) Urgently develop a cross-departmental mental health plan to determine methods to improve mental wellbeing for those affected by the outbreak.

2) Set up a new mental health taskforce comprised of experts to advise on and determine methods to help deal with the effects of coronavirus

3) Develop "PPE for the Mind" to ensure all key workers on the front lines of this crisis can have immediate access to adequate support for their wellbeing during and after this crisis.

It is critically important that the government prepares now for the trauma, which is already becoming apparent, across society.

Government backs COVID bereavement scheme for NHS staff

I was pleased to hear earlier this week that the Government has decided to back the Liberal Democrats' proposal to compensate bereaved families of NHS and social care staff.

Now, the Government needs to go further and extend the scheme to include the families of all key workers who die on the front line. This includes teachers and bus drivers to name a few.

We have a duty to all our frontline workers to support them through this time. This is a step in the right direction from the Government.

State-backed loans for small businesses

I welcome the announcement of a new government-backed loan scheme for small businesses which will enable them to access up to £50,000 quickly and easily.

The scheme aims to speed up the process of handing out loans and requires filling in a two-page self-certification form online.

For more information on financial support for your business please click here

Thank you

Once again, thank you to our NHS staff, carers and other key workers. Let's all help them by staying home and staying safe.

If you need to get in touch, please email me on [email protected]

Best wishes,

Munira Wilson

MP for Twickenham, Teddington, the Hamptons, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill and Whitton.

Follow me on Twitter: @munirawilson

Follow me on my Facebook page here.

P.S. Please forward this on to your neighbours or friends if you think they will find this information useful.