York Press column: Welcoming the Prime Minister to York
February 14, 2024
As many of you know, access to NHS dentistry has been one of my main priorities over the last year and I have continued to meet with health ministers, the Integrated Cared Board, and local dentists to explore the issues facing the sector to help work on the solutions that will improve dental care in York.
Before Christmas, I met with the Minister for Primary Health, Dame Andrea Leadsom, to continue discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care which began under her predecessor. Dame Andrea immediately took a keen interest in our situation in York as I stressed the need for greater incentives for dentists to remain in the NHS, workforce reforms, innovative ideas to reach rural and underserved areas, along with placing a greater emphasis on prevention and making the Units of Dental Activity rate more attractive.
Much of what we discussed in that meeting was unveiled last week as part of the Government’s Plan for NHS Dentistry, which will unlock more than 2.5 million additional NHS dental care appointments.
As part of the debate on the new plans, I stressed to the Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins that, while the additional funding was welcome, we need to ensure local Integrated Cared Boards are spending the money they are already allocated and that local funding is ring-fenced so it is not redirected to other areas within the ICB’s remit. The Health Secretary recognised my concern, and I was encouraged that her department is exploring ways to ensure that there is increased transparency in dentistry spending and that this spending reflects local needs.
Another long-running campaign I have been championing is the dualling of the A64. At the beginning of the year, I relaunched the campaign to #JustDualIt with the Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Keane Duncan with a visit from the Roads Minister, Guy Opperman. Last week, I once again lobbied Guy at Transport Questions where I highlighted the benefits to road safety that dualling the A64 can bring as well as the economic benefits to businesses along the route from York to the coast.
I was incredibly disappointed to learn at the end of last year that the project will be delayed by up to five years with other projects deemed of to have greater economic impact. I have consistently stressed that this project will unleash huge untapped economic potential for our region, but I felt it necessary, with safety concerns on this stretch of road at the forefront of my mind, with accidents becoming an ever-increasing occurrence, to emphasise this to the Minister. I welcome the Minister taking my points on board and that National Highways are looking at options to address this issue.
Back in York, I had the privilege of welcoming the Prime Minister to visit York Against Cancer’s Leveson Centre at the LNER Community Stadium to meet with volunteers and thank them for all they do.
I visited the Leveson Centre last month to mark the one-year anniversary of the facility opening and in that time it has helped over 5,000 people through phone calls, walk-ins and appointments. I knew I had to bring the Prime Minister to visit the centre himself so he could see the truly life changing service they are offering.
York Against Cancer is truly a inspirational charity that is a testament to how from humble beginnings a few people wanting to make a difference to their community can really achieve great things. I am always astounded by the incredible amounts raised by the Dunnington York Against Cancer group when I attend their regular coffee mornings and it highlights the generous spirit of our city.
This may not be the last time we see the Prime Minister at the LNER Community Stadium as just before he left, he was presented with his own York City FC shirt – he can now swap the Saints for the Minstermen!
