My October Newsletter

My Newsletter To You

An update for all of the constituents of Norwich North on my work as your voice in Parliament and in the constituency.

In the constituency…
In the last two weeks, I have been busy in the constituency, working on issues important to you, including:

THE NHS – Visiting  the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to discuss the new technologies they are employing in the radiotherapy department and to see the new state-of-the-art Orthopaedics centre.

HEALTH – Talking to the fantastic staff at Thorpewood Surgery about issues they are facing as primary care providers and what the Government can do to help.

BUSINESS – I spoke with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to better understand their needs and drive investment into our area.

SUPPORT – I held a phone surgery and also ran an in-person surgery in Thorpe with two local Councillors in order to help my constituents with issues important to them.

Casework Breakdown

This month my office received over 549 pieces of new casework and engaged in helping everyone who has been in touch – closing 717 cases from the months previous.

The highest portions of casework this month were regarding international affairs, with constituents concerned about the conflict in the Middle East, in response I have pressed the Foreign Secretary to expand the assessment of hunger and malnutrition levels in Gaza – to which he rightly agreed.

Another issue featuring prominently was social security and pensions, for which I am setting up several Pensioners Support Days in the constituency to help those entitled to benefits (more on that below).

In Parliament…

Parliament returned from conference season on the 7th October and since then I have been representing Norwich North in the House of Commons on a range of issues important to my constituents, including:

SEND – I spoke on SEND provision for schools in the East of England about the crisis in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision in our schools in the East of England. I raised the issue of a lack of specialist schools, calling for the repurposing of the long-closed Angel Road School as a specialised SEND school. You can watch my contribution to that debate HERE.

DENTISTRY – This month I have met with the Chair of the British Dental Association, spoken on the importance of dentistry and how Norfolk is the “Sahara of dental deserts” in the primary care debate, and asked Parliamentary written questions to the Department for Health and Social care on the specific problems facing pregnant women and new mums with dental issues. You can watch my input in the debate HERE.

WATER – Last week, I paid tribute to the citizen scientists and volunteers who do so much to monitor our water and keep the issue of water quality at the forefront of the national conversation. I’m delighted the Minister confirmed that they will be consulted by the Government’s new Independent Water Commission. You can see my question HERE.

Government Consultation on the NHS

Last week, the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary launched the biggest conversation about the future of the NHS since its founding in 1948.

Over the coming months we are going to be speaking to thousands of staff, patients and stakeholders to get their insight and ideas for turning the NHS around. We want to hear from everyone with an interest in the NHS – that means all of us, whether you work in it, use it or are developing the cutting edge tech and medicines we need to drive the health service forward.

I am encouraging anyone who works for the NHS, represents an NHS body, develops technology for use by the NHS or uses the National Health Service to submit evidence in order to help us shape the next generation of NHS for our country.

Submit Evidence Here

School Roofing

Fifteen schools in Norfolk have ceilings in need of urgent repair and dozens of others have been checked for potential issues.

I have since spoken in the House of Commons calling for a debate on the state of school buildings and written to the Department for Education requesting a change to the guidelines given to Councils in order to prevent this happening again.

You can read more about that HERE and view my contribution in Parliament HERE.

Upcoming Events…
Over the next few weeks I will be holding advice and support surgeries, as well as specialised events for specific groups of constituents.

My office will be holding a pensioners drop-in advice day next month, providing guidance on what support may be available to you. At the Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross on the 8th Nov, 9am-1pm alongside the below supporting organisations.

I will also be holding my regular help and advice surgeries for constituents, my next surgeries are:Saturday 2nd November, 10-12noon in Sprowston.Friday 15th November, 2-5pm in Sewell.Saturday 7th December, 10-12noon in Hellesdon.

To book an appointment at one of my surgeries, please email with your full address to alice.macdonald.mp@parliament.uk or call 0207 219 5867.