From Our MP, Steve Brine

First up this time, it was such a pleasure to be back in our hospital recently to catch-up with everyone in-person and to welcome the extremely busy cancer services team back to Nick Jonas Ward following a temporary move to Sarum Road and Basingstoke because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I understand the trust had to move cancer services out of the Royal Hampshire, and it was key to keeping this lifesaving work ongoing during the pandemic, however there was anxiety among constituents whether they would ever return. I know everyone is extremely pleased that this has happened exactly as envisaged and as promised. It was great to go in and welcome them home.

Bigger than most things is, of course, COP26 which took place early in November. As I write it’s not yet finished but it was a genuine privilege to be in Glasgow in week one of the United Nations event.

I attended a number of events and spoke at several; including how parliaments around the world will hold Governments to account for their undertakings on the climate and the environment. The UK has made ambitious, legally binding pledges so it’s important experienced MPs like me hold their feet to the fire. We intend to!

It was also a real pleasure to meet with several indigenous peoples and representatives from Brazil in the wake of the landmark agreement which saw 100 world leaders sign a new agreement to stop and reverse deforestation in places such as the Amazon. As a young school-boy, as I have written before, this was THE issue which drove me into politics in the first place so I am personally very invested in it and have already met with our Prime Minister to

HHFT - Cancer Services Return