Speeches - February- 2010

Speaking to the Conservative Medical Society - 22.02.2010

I was the guest speaker along with ComRes opinion pollsters and Shadow Minister of Health Mark Simmonds MP at an open meeting of the Conservative Medical Society, at their pre-election event. I made a strong case for supporting vital District General and Community Hospital Services and that healthcare funding and spending priorities needed to better look after older people in our communities.

Speech to Spring Conference - 21.02.2010

Good afternoon everyone my name is Dan Poulter, and I am a hospital doctor working on the frontline of the NHS. I am also our prospective parliamentary candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, and I am delighted to have been asked to talk to you today about what is one of the most important issues that faces our country; how Conservatives can build a better National Health Service.

A few months ago David Cameron called for new candidates with a record of public service to enter politics, and that is why I am standing here now. Thanks to David Cameron, in the Conservative Party we now have plenty of healthcare professionals standing for Parliament who have real life experience, and who understand what it is really like on the frontline of our public services.

I want to begin by seconding everything Andrew Lansley has said about our NHS. As a hospital doctor, I see everyday the dedication of teams of talented NHS professionals who look after the sick and the injured. I see health care and treatments being delivered by doctors and nurses as good as anywhere in the world, and I am proud that our party has made the NHS our number one priority.

But I also have to tell you that in many places these same world-class professionals are feeling demotivated, despondent and demoralised, because day in and day out we are browbeaten into prioritising the Government tick-boxes and top-down targets over our patient's real needs. Doctors and nurses are as frustrated as patients and taxpayers everywhere that the NHS is not more patient-centred or productive.

Do you know that a recent survey found more than half of NHS staff do not believe that caring for patients is the top priority at their hospital? Whatever could be more important for a hospital than caring for patients? The problem is, no matter how much we want to or try to put patients first, too often we are forced to treat the clock and targets rather than the patient in front of us. Under Labour?s target culture, a patient with a broken toe can be as much of a priority to Accident and Emergency services, as a patient with potentially life threatening chest pain, but where boxes have to be ticked there is little space for professional judgment in Labour?s NHS.

Under Labour, the process of healthcare and of meeting targets is the priority, not looking after patients. Under Labour, the NHS shows plenty of activity, but too little productivity and not enough frontline patient care.

Meeting targets does not mean better healthcare, and that was no more graphically demonstrated than at Mid-Staffordshire Hospital where the management was far too often concerned with targets rather than looking after their patients.

As Conservatives, we know that healthcare is not about targets but about real people, and real people?s lives, and that is why we need a Conservative Government to run our NHS.

Press - June- 2010

Osborne Budget splits politicians along party lines - 23.06.2010

Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich was confident that the budget addressed the problems facing the economy, while protecting the most vulnerable members of society. He said;

We all knew that this was going to be a tough budget but I think he has really managed to come up with abudget that is fair and progressive.

By splitting the costs of tackling the deficit between 77% spending reductions and 23% tax rises he has been as fair as he possible could be to those on limited incomes.

A Fair Deal for Suffolk - 10.06.2010

Suffolk's MPs have called on the government to treat the county fairly when it comes to public spending.

The MPs say that for too many years the county has lost out when it comes to spending on things like health and education and have written letters calling for a more generous funding formula when the budgets are drawn up later this year.

Dan Welcomes Return To Local Planning Control - 07.06.2010

Welcoming the decision by the new Government’s Community Secretary Eric Pickles, on Friday last week, Dr Poulter said; This will allow the people of Suffolk to say no to inappropriate housing development. Local councils will be able to protect the Suffolk Countryside in the ways that they want to. No longer will we have to accept the imposition of 15,000 new houses to the North of Ipswich without the necessary transport, health and education infrastructure.

Dan is pictured supporting local residents opposing the North Ipswich development

Poulter Speaks Up For Muscle Disease Sufferers - 04.06.2010

Dr Dan Poulter, Tory MP for Suffolk Central & Ipswich North, has promised to do all he can to help ?constituents achieve better healthcare.

In East Anglia, the main issues facing muscle disease patients are a lack of information and support at diagnosis, no physiotherapy, services for child sufferers withdrawn at adulthood, difficulty in accessing services such as hydrotherapy pools and equipment such as wheelchairs.

Dr Poulter will become a link for local patients and families in raising awareness of muscle wasting ?conditions and putting pressure on the NHS to improve services.

Articles - September - 2010

Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley Expected Back At Work In October - 23.08.2010

David Ruffley has been off work following an accident in June. Since then, his parliamentary work has been shared between neighbouring MPs Dr Daniel Poulter and Matthew Hancock while councillors have helped with other constituents’ issues.

Dr Poulter told the EADT that Mr Ruffley’s condition had improved and that he was now looking forward to returning to the House of Commons.

Services Restored At Hartismere Hospital - 19.08.2010

NHS Suffolk has reversed it 2007 plans and announced a £1.5 million project to refurbish Hartismere Hospital in Eye and return of many of the services cut when the hospital was downgraded three years ago.

Campaigner and MP Dr Dan Poulter said he was delighted NHS Suffolk has finally seen sense and were going to reinvest in services at the hospital

Dan Responds To Local Residents' Concerns Over Travellers - 14.08.2010

Dan was approached by the residents of Barham Green, who were concerned at a recent influx of travellers onto the village green. Their main concern was that the travellers were situated on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dan raised the issue with the local police and Mid-Suffolk County Council, and action was taken to resettle the travellers to a more suitable location.

Fundraisers In Fancy Dress Cycle For the Prostate Cancer Charity - 10.08.2010

Competitors cycled around a thirteen and a half mile route starting at the Thorndon Black Horse and passing through villages including Mendlesham and Bacton to a finishing line at the Finningham White Horse.

The 45 participants who were raising money for prostate cancer were sent on their way by Daniel Poulter, Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

New Rail Link Set To Reduce Traffic On The A14 - 10.08.2010

Suffolk’s new MPs have been putting pressure on Network Rail and the Department of Transport to go ahead with the double track chord that directly links the Felixstowe and Peterborough lines North of Ipswich station.

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter was delighted to hear the news saying 'We need to get as much freight as possible off the roads and on to the rail network.' 'This will ease congestion – and should make the rail line to London less congested, hopefully making the service more reliable and improving reliability there'.

My Diary - August- 2010

Supporting Suffolk's Churches - 15.08.2010

Dan was invited by Andrew Fleming to Mendlesham church, were a fundraising BBQ was held, with proceeds going towards the church. This gave Dan the opportunity to meet local people, and hear the issues that affect people in Mendlesham. As focal points for local communities, Dan has a close interest in ensuring our historic local churches are well maintained.

Helping People With Drug And Alcohol Addictions - 15.08.2010

Dan had the pleasure of attending the Focus 12 reception in Bury St Edmunds, standing in for David Ruffley MP. Focus 12 aims to address the immediate and long term effects of drug and alcohol addiction, and with help of television celebrity Davina McCall, the event helped publicize the vital role it plays in rebuilding the lives of addicts and their families.

Dan Attends Sweffling Fete - 14.08.2010

Dan was invited to the Sweffling fete, where he met local people to discuss their concerns as well as them being able to meet him in a more relaxed setting. Dan was especially encouraged by the large attendance of local people from the surrounding area to enjoy in a day for the family.

Dan Attends Hasketon Fete - 14.08.2010

Dan attended the village fete at Hasketon. The event provided the local community with a chance to enjoy a family day out, helping the local community keep its cohesive spirit. Dan was also able to use the event to speak to local residents in rural areas. Finally, Dan was kindly invited to draw the raffle at the fete.

Supporting Initiatives For First Time Homeowners - 13.08.2010

Dan was kindly invited by Marie-Claire Delbroque to the Flagship Housing Association to be shown affordable housing developments around the constituency. The Association, under Suffolk Heritage, owns, manages and provides over 21,000 affordable homes to people across East Anglia, providing homes and services for older and more vulnerable people and accommodation and training opportunities to 16-25 year-olds. Of particular interest to Dan were the environmentally-friendly methods in which new houses are being built. By promoting and investing in green initiatives from households, associations such as Flagship Housing help ensure Suffolk emits fewer carbon emissions, as well as saving local residents of money.

Supporting Help for Heroes - 13.08.2010

Dan was invited to play in a Help for Heroes Charity Rugby game, held at Hadleigh Rugby Club. By selling draw tickets, charging entry for spectators, and collection for donations, the match raised a large amount of money for a cause that Dan actively supports. The match was played by a mixture of current and former servicemen alongside local members of the club. Dan, a keen rugby player, took part in the match in front of a large crowd, despite the heavy rain.

Dan Joins Wickham Skeith Lunch Club - 10.08.2010

Dan was kindly invited to join the Wickham Skeith Lunch Club. The over 60?s lunch club meets every month, and this provided Dan with an excellent way of meeting local residents and hearing their issues that arise from living in a rural community. Dan was very encouraged to see how amicable and friendly the club?s atmosphere was, providing a fantastic example of the Big Society in action.

Dan Starts Charity Bike Ride - 07.08.2010

Dan was kindly asked to officially start the Bacton charity bike ride by organisers Adam Steed, Daniel Swanson, James Allen and Mark Leggett. The fancy-dress clad members of the bike ride raised over ?1,000 for The Prostate Cancer charity, biking to Thorndon, Stoke Ash, Wickham Skeith, Cotton and Mendlesham, receiving donations en route. Dan was especially pleased to see local people getting together in order to raise money for a very worthy cause.

Dan Attends Kesgrave Music Festival - 07.08.2010

Dan had the pleasure of attending the Kesgrave Music festival, where he met local residents as well as enjoying the wide variety of music being performed. Dan was pleased to see such a range of ages performing on stage, and was particularly encouraged by the friendly atmosphere he witnessed. The money raised went toward the St. Elizabeth hospice in Ipswich, a cause that Dan understands the crucial role it plays in local communities.

Dan Attends Whitton Fun Day - 07.08.2010

Dan was invited to the Whitton fun day, run by the Whitton community association, where he was delighted to be able to meet a very friendly collection of local people. Dan was again able to see how important fetes such as these are to maintaining a community spirit. With many local councillors in attendance, Dan was able to recognize the role they play in helping promote a closer local community.

Dan Attends The Earl Soham Fete - 07.08.2010

Dan was kindly invited to the village fete at Earl Soham. The event provided the local community with a chance to enjoy a family day out, helping the local community keep its cohesive spirit. Dan was kindly invited to draw the raffle that raised money for the village.

Preserving Our County's Heritage - 06.08.2010

Dan was invited by Simon Cairns, Director of the Suffolk Preservation Society to meet some of their members and learn more about the role they play in protecting and enhancing the countryside, towns and villages of Suffolk. Dan was encouraged by the knowledgeable and passionate members of the SPS, and how enthusiastic they are to pushing the case for sustainable development whilst maintaining the beauty of Suffolk. An area of strong agreement is to combat environmental tokenism in the form of wind turbines in onshore Suffolk areas.

Dan Attends Ladies Lunch - 06.08.2010

Dan was kindly invited to a South Suffolk Ladies lunch at Nayland. Many of those present had been constituents of Dan?s predecessor, Sir Michael Lord, and were keen to hear Dan?s views on the new government, and his objectives locally.

Dan Backs Local Homes For Local People In Framlingham - 03.08.2010

Dan was asked to cut the ribbon for the opening of twelve new affordable homes at Norton Way, Framlingham. The initiative, put forward by the Hastoe Housing Association, aims to create new houses in the historic market town of Framlingham that are affordable to local people and first time buyers. In both Westminster and in the constituency, Dan has frequently voiced his support for initiatives that encourage regeneration and investment in our rural areas, and he believes that the opening of these homes shows that first time buyers do not need to move away from rural areas in order to find affordable housing.