WHY DID I STAND AS COUNTY COUNCILLOR FOR COALVILLE?
As a practising GP, I am passionate about public health, community engagement and co-creating health through genuine patient participation.
I came back to General Practice in 2003 determined to improve access to evidence based psychological therapies in primary care. You can read about how I got on here.
I have studied psychological therapies and cognitive linguistics. I enjoy folk music and storytelling. These are handy skills for a would-be politician as they all form the basis of that most persuasive of arts - rhetoric.
But sophistry and spin are not enough with a passion for change and commitment to a community. I have lived in Coalville since 1994. I was a GP at a local surgery for 7 years and helped my colleagues move from inadequate premises to a new state of the art building in 2010.
I still work, part-time, as a GP in Sileby. I also support our local community radio station HermitageFM, an offshoot of the hospital radio service, Carillon. I am a 'Friend of Snibston', the iconic science museum of mining heritage in Coalville.
The new Health and Social Care Act has re-disorganised the health service (again). Having fought against this unnecessary, expensive structural upheaval prior to the bill being passed, I have spent the last year assisting the CCG to work within the new system to build integrated care models with hospitals and social care.
County Hall is responsible for Health and Wellbeing, as well as Education, Highways, Museums and Libraries. All these areas have been affected by ill-thought through reorganisations and damaging cuts brought about by the ConDem administration.
Coalville people need a strong voice in County Hall. Someone that cares passionately about the town and who can put their determination to good use. Someone who knows how to make things happen and who isn't afraid to speak truth to power
