John Hemming's Web Log

John Hemming MP, Chairman of Justice for Families, has struck out at Martin Narey for his suggestion that more babies should be taken into care and that more adoptions is the solution to prevent situations like that in Edlington. "Martin Narey demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the stastical realities as to what has happening in England. The number of babies taken into care under 1 month has jumped from 430 in 1995 to 1,140 in 2006. Of the 1,140 in 2006 670 were taken into care in the first seven days of their life essentially "at birth". "He also makes the assumption that once a child is adopted all is good. Sadly the government are turning a blind eye to the number of disrupted adoptions. In 2006 6,000 children under 10 years old were taken into care and 3,520 children under 10 left care through adoption. That means 59% of children leaving care through adoption. "The government themselves said this year that "This does not mean that adoption is ap...

Medway UA, Luton & Wayfield Con 1042 (36.9; +10.8) Lab 1038 (36.7; -12.3) LD Gary Allanach 223 (7.9; +7.9) UKIP 200 (7.1; +7.1) BNP 186 (6.6; +6.6) Ind 87 (3.1; -21.9) Green 51 (1.8; +1.8) Majority 4 Turnout 29.78% Con gain from Lab Percentage change is since May 2007 Wiltshire UA, Southwick Ind 385 (37.2; +37.2) LD Gordon King 315 (30.5; -8.8) Con 273 (26.4; -34.3) UKIP 61 (5.9; +5.9) Majority 70 Turnout 30.66% Ind gain from Con Percentage change is since June 2009 Plymouth City UA, Ham Lab 1243 (44.0; +2.7) Con 676 (23.9; -15.7) UKIP 442 (15.6; +15.6) BNP 82 (2.9; +2.9) Ind 204 (7.2; +7.2) LD Rebecca Trimnell 181 (6.4; -6.8) [Green (0.0; -5.9)] Majority 567 Turnout 29% Lab hold Percentage change is since May 2008 Stamford TC, St Georges Ind 243 (42.4) Con 135 (23.6) LD Raymond Donald Lee 115 (20.1) No Description 80 (14.0) Majority 108 Turnout 17.7% Ind hold Party defending seat: Ind. Cause: Death. Oswestry TC, Castle Con 214 (61.3) LD Brain L Willis 135 (38.7) Majority 79 Turnou...

Introduction This week’s report from NHS West Midlands shows that the rate of new cases of swine flu continues to slow across the region. Information provided indicates current impact on the local services. Key Messages Patients presenting at primary care centres with influenza-like symptoms has decreased within the health economy over the last week. The number of people with swine flu admitted to hospitals in West Midlands has also fallen this week. Activity /Rates – GPs This shows the number of patients attending primary care with influenza-like illness, taken from the latest Health Protection Agency QSurveillance data. This data indicates a significant decrease for the week ending 30 August 2009, across England, West Midlands and within Birmingham East and North. The reported rate of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the West Midlands for the week was 14.0 (compared with 20.3 for the previous week). West Midlands average 14.0 (per 100,000) England and Wales rates 14.0 (...

Introduction This week’s report from NHS West Midlands shows that the rate of new cases of swine flu continues to slow across the region. Information provided indicates current impact on the local services. Key Messages Patients presenting at primary care centres with influenza-like symptoms has decreased within the health economy over the last week. The number of people with swine flu admitted to hospitals in West Midlands has also fallen this week. Activity /Rates – GPs This shows the number of patients attending primary care with influenza-like illness, taken from the latest Health Protection Agency QSurveillance data. This data indicates a significant decrease for the week ending 23 August 2009, across England, West Midlands and within Birmingham East and North. The reported rate of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the West Midlands for the week was 20.3 (compared with 31.2 for the previous week). West Midlands average 20.3 (per 100,000) England and Wales rates 19.0 ...

Harrogate BC, Starbeck LD Janet Law 886 (63.4; -8.8) Con 252 (18.0; +5.0) Ind 178 (12.7; +12.7) Lab 82 (5.9; +0.8) [BNP (0.0; -9.7)] Majority 634 Turnout 31.81% LD hold Percentage change is since May 2007 Buckhurst Hill PC, Buckhurst Hill East Gavin Chambers (LD) - 614 (62.5) Marshall Vance (Con) - 312 (31.8%) Tom Richardson (BNP) - 56 (5.7%) Majority 302 Turnout 28.1% Lib Dem hold. Party defending seat: LD. Cause: Death. Falmouth TC, Boslowick Con 469 (47.8) LD Roger Bonney 358 (36.5) MK 84 (8.6) Lab 71 (7.2) Majority 111 Turnout 22.44% Con gain from Ind Party defending seat: Ind. Cause: Resignation

In our last newsletter, we referred to “a few small plots have been purchased by people with the intention of delaying the Tesco development” at the Swan Centre Yardley and that “we are appalled by these ‘spoiling’ tactics”. That may have been thought to refer to Mr Jeremy Knight-Adams who is a property developer and has had involvement in a number of major retail developments in the Midlands. He has owned two plots of land within the area for more than 20 years and which are the subject of the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) that has been promoted by Birmingham City Council to facilitate a proposed development of the Swan Centre by Tesco Stores Limited. We wish to make it clear that we did not suggest in that leaflet that Mr Knight-Adams has engaged in or is engaging in “‘spoiling’ tactics”. He has explained to us that he objects to the CPO and has employed a team of lawyers and consultants to pursue that objection at the recent Public Inquiry into the CPO and that his objections were...

Forest of Dean DC, Mitcheldean and Drybrook LD Sue Henchley 638 (55.1; +36.2) Ind 239 (20.6; -18.2) Con 195 (16.8; -5.8) Lab 86 (7.4; -12.1) Majority 399 Turnout 32.4% LD gain from Ind Percentage change is since May 2007 Blackpool UA, Stanley Con 648 (32.8; -28.2) Lab 602 (30.5; +4.6) LD Michael Hodkinson 332 (16.8; +3.6) UKIP 203 (10.3; +10.3) BNP 192 (9.7; +9.7) Majority 46 Turnout 36.4% Con hold Percentage change is since May 2007 West Lindsey DC, Saxilby Con 722 (60.6; +22.4) LD Dean John Woolley 407 (34.2; -27.6) UKIP 62 (5.2; +5.2) Majority 315 Turnout 28.3% Con gain from LD Percentage change is since May 2008 Ashfield DC, Hucknall Central LD Kevin Moore 463 (32.3; +18.8) Lab 392 (27.3; +6.8) Con 320 (22.3; -7.7) UKIP 181 (12.6; +12.6) Ind 79 (5.5; -30.5) Majority 71 Turnout 26.16% LD gain from Ind Percentage change is since May 2007

This week’s report from NHS West Midlands shows that the rate of new cases of swine flu continues to slow across the region. Information provided indicates current impact on the local services. Key Messages Patients presenting at primary care centres with influenza-like symptoms has decreased within the health economy over the last week. The number of people with swine flu admitted to hospitals in the West Midlands has fallen this week. Activity /Rates – GPs This shows the number of patients attending primary care with influenza-like illness, taken from the latest Health Protection Agency QSurveillance data. This data indicates a significant decrease for the week ending 16 August 2009, across England, West Midlands and within Birmingham East and North. The reported rate of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the West Midlands for the week was 31.2 (compared with 45 for the previous week). West Midlands average 31.2 (per 100,000) England and Wales rates 30.4 (per 100,000) NHS...

Although John O Shea is often "inaccurate and badly informed", his post on Daniel Hannnan and the NHS is worth a link . In particular he highlights a Guardian Article about the NHS . The practise of people not having to worry when they are ill is something that has to be protected. There are problems with the obssession with targets which result in a system where often management priorities result in patients not being treated that well. However, they do not have to worry that for example the medicare budget is getting depleted or they don't have insurance. I met up with the Yardley Carers group this week and they did explain how difficult it is particularly caring for someone in the last days of life and that the system often creates additional trauma by pressurising them inappropriately. For example one person had her husband discharged to a hospice. After two weeks they said because he hadn't died he had to go somewhere else. This really should not be necessa...

It probably surprised Nick Clegg more than me, but in "Total politics" Top 30 of MP Blogs. I have been pleasantly surprised to find myself at No 15. Nick Clegg is at no 18. I thank those people who voted for my blog. Willie Rennie (11) and Lynne Featherstone (8), however managed a higher position. Congratulations to Willie and Lynne.

The link is to Angela's story in the Sunday Times.

Exponential increases in the use of resources are impossible in the really long term. Even straight line increases come to a limit. The link is to the Economist article of 6th August which spots the fact that the energy figures don't reconcile.

The link is to today's Daily Mail story about Angela Wileman. The question for "the system" to answer is how has the state intervention benefited anyone either the children or the adults. As far as I can see the state intervention in this case has been entirely damaging and the activities of the courts have been moreso to protect the interests of the system rather than protect the children. Imaging removing a 7 year old from his mother in Ireland to put him in foster care in Devon to get him adopted. On what basis is that justifiable? Remember that the child is going to school and happy in his family who have been visited by the local health authority.

The link is to a story in The Spectator where he said. Consider Iceland, a volcanic lump at the uttermost edge of Europe, straddling the tectonic line that separates our continental plate from America’s. Iceland has few natural advantages: it is cold, treeless and, for much of the year, sunless. It has a population of 285,000 — roughly that of Croydon. Yet this sparse, chilly speck of tundra has just overtaken Norway to become the wealthiest place in Europe. Faced with a small home market, Icelandic entrepreneurs have expanded into neighbouring countries. In Britain alone they have bought, among other things, Hamleys, Somerfield, Oasis and Karen Millen. Icelanders now enjoy the highest life expectancy in the world. And — here’s the thing — they have achieved all this while remaining outside the EU.

Torridge DC, Holsworthy date: 13/08/2009 Ind 537 (53.3; +18.7) LD Vicky Shearman 471 (46.7; +2.8) [Con (0.0; -21.5)] Majority 66 Turnout 31.8% Ind gain from LD Percentage change is since May 2007 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk BC, Gaywood Chase date: 13/08/2009 Con 202 (28.7; -17.4) Lab 194 (27.5; -10.2) LD Ian Swinton 167 (23.7; +23.7) BNP 90 (12.8; +12.8) Green 52 (7.4; +7.4) Majority 8 Turnout 18% Con hold Percentage change is since May 2007 Scarborough BC, Hertford date: 13/08/2009 Green 894 (66.5; +41.7) Con 356 (26.5; -9.3) Ind 94 (7.0; +7.0) [BNP (0.0; -10.4)] [LD (0.0; -28.9)] Majority 538 Turnout 32.7% Green gain from Con Percentage change is since May 2007 Scarborough BC, Streonshalh date: 13/08/2009 Ind 246 / 48 (54.1; +20.9) LD Graham Mark Peirson 95 (17.5; -29.6) Con 80 (14.7; -4.9) Lab 74 13.6; +13.6) Majority 151 Turnout 14.8% Ind gain from LD Percentage change is since May 2007 Bridgend TC, Morfa date: 13/08/2009 Labour 187 Ann-Marie Vaughan Liberal Democrat 179 Tories 15...

This week’s report from NHS West Midlands shows that cases of swine flu continue to spread across the region. It provides information on the spread of swine flu and its impact on the local services. Key Messages Patients presenting at primary care centres with influenza-like symptoms has decreased within the health economy over the last week. Activity /Rates – GPs This shows the number of patients attending primary care with influenza-like illness, taken from the latest Health Protection Agency QSurveillance data. This data indicates a significant decrease for the week ending 9 August 2009, across England, West Midlands and within Birmingham East and North. The reported rate of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the West Midlands for the week was 45 (compared with 73.3 for the previous week). West Midlands average 45.0 (per 100,000) England and Wales rates 48.0 (per 100,000) NHS Birmingham East and North 49.0 (per 100,000) Number of Hospital Admissions The total number of n...

When parliament returns I intend doing a speech about Jeremy Knight Adams and how he has acted in a way which has caused delays in the development at The Swan in Yardley. I would be interested in having any other information about his involvement in other developments as it will assist in looking at the law on Compulsory Purchase and what changes may be needed. If anyone has any useful information could they either email it to me or send it to me at the House of Commons.

I have linked to another NHS Blog Doc report on Tamiflu and whether it is advisable to take it for Swine Flu. Snopes confirms that Tamiflu is a major financial interest of Donald Rumsfled.

Introduction This week’s report from NHS West Midlands shows that cases of swine flu continue to spread across the region. It provides information on the spread of swine flu and its impact on the local services. Key Messages Patients presenting at primary care centres with influenza-like symptoms has decreased within the health economy over the last week. Activity /Rates – GPs This shows the number of patients attending primary care with influenza-like illness, taken from the latest Health Protection Agency QSurveillance data. QSurveillance data indicates a significant decrease for the week ending 2 August 2009, across England, West Midlands and within Birmingham East and North. The reported rate of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the West Midlands for the week was 73.3 (compared with 200.1 for the previous week). West Midlands average 73.3 (per 100,000) England and Wales rates 71.3 (per 100,000) NHS Birmingham East and North 70.0 (per 100,000) Number of Hospital Admissi...