Richmond Coronavirus Cases

For the period from 10th to the 16th August Richmond borough saw 33 new cases identified compared to 11 cases in the previous week.

While this is a cause for concern it is not a cause for alarm. Richmond has a low rate of infection and any increase will look large in comparison. The new data has been checked and Richmond Council are confident that there are no clusters forming.

However, it is a reminder of the need to wash our hands, to wear a face covering when on public transport, in shops and supermarkets, and to maintain social distancing.

Orleans House Gallery reopens

The Orleans House Gallery and Stables cafe have now re-opened with the gallery open Tuesday - Sunday, 10am–5pm.

Find out more about the exhibitions currently on show here.

oneRichmond appeal

The coronavirus crisis has affected everyone's lives, but for the most vulnerable in our area: isolated elderly people, those caring for a loved one, children with disabilities, families struggling financially and those already coping with poor mental health, the impact has been devastating.

oneRichmond has therefore launched a Covid-19 appeal to support our local charities.

A-Level and GCSE results

Well done to all the students who have received their A-Level and GCSE results. It has been a very challenging year for all but they have shown great resilience.

Many parents and students wrote in furious over the Government's botched handling of A-level grading system. I wrote to Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, demanding he remedy the situation. Liberal Democrats joined others in calling for a return to grades predicted by teachers.

I'm glad the government has now seen sense and made a U turn on their grading system.

Government tries to deflect blame by scrapping Public Health England

Matt Hancock has announced plans to scrap Public Health England and replace it with a new agency only focused on health protection.

There has been a significant lack of transparency surrounding this decision and concerns regarding what will happen to the other important health protection functions such as cancer screening and smoking cessation.

I have written to Matt Hancock to express my concerns and have been on BBC to explain the issue.

Being made a Patron of Age UK Richmond upon Thames

I am delighted to have been made a Patron of 'Age UK Richmond upon Thames'. They do vital work supporting older people, their families and carers in the local community. I will continue to do what I can to voice the concerns of elderly residents in my constituency.

Social care testing rules for care home residents

Until just recently, many elderly and vulnerable people were being forced to lie about having COVID-19 symptoms, in order to enter care homes from the community.

I wrote to the Minister for Health and Social Care to demand action on this issue and I'm now glad to see testing being made available to prospective new residents.

It begs the question though why it took so long for this to happen, given how care homes have suffered during this pandemic.

NHS waiting times increase

Waiting times were at a record high before the pandemic and now, alongside worryingly low cancer referrals, the backlog is immense. The Government must step up with a clear plan on how people will get the treatment they need or risk more lives being lost.

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Coronavirus session on the care sector and the elderly

Throughout the parliamentary recess I have been participating in the cross party coronavirus group that is leading an inquiry to learn the lessons from the first wave of the pandemic. We have been conducting weekly oral evidence sessions with experts. Last week, I chaired the session on the care sector and the elderly.

We were told some distressing stories about the impact of the pandemic on care home residents. We also heard that many feel the care sector was left behind by Government planning.