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Dear <<First Name>>

I write with a short round up of news, including my latest work for the Ludlow Constituency and my ministerial work.

As ever, please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who would find it of interest, or encourage them to sign up via my website www.philipdunne.com.

LATEST NEWS

Conservative Party Conference
Earlier this month I joined fellow Conservatives in Birmingham for the first Party Conference of Theresa May's premiership. We saw a clear message from the Prime Minister in her powerful speech that this Government is determined to work towards creating a society that rewards work, and helps anyone to go wherever their talents will take them. You can watch her full speech by clicking on the image above. 

I was pleased to take part in several fringe events which covered topics within my brief at the Department of Health, and wider health and care issues. This included speaking with the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Physicians, and an interesting debate on the implications of Brexit on health, chaired by fellow Shropshire MP Owen Paterson.
Vote for Bridgnorth in High Street Awards
It is brilliant news Bridgnorth is now one of three finalists in the Large Market Town category of the Great British High Street Awards. This year’s competition received a record number of nominations, making Bridgnorth’s success in making the final shortlist even more impressive, though well deserved.

I hope we will see great support for Bridgnorth from people across the Ludlow Constituency in the public vote. This is a real chance to raise awareness of Bridgnorth, attracting visitors while adding yet another accolade to add to South Shropshire’s impressive collection. I've already voted, and you can too here...
Post Office reconsiders Clee Hill branch change
When the Post Office announced it was consulting on changing Clee Hill's branch into a mobile service, I made clear I had real concerns that a move to offering mobile Post Office services would not be sufficient for a village of Clee Hill’s size.

After collating the responses from local customers and representatives, the Post Office said the feedback had helped draw concerns to their attention, and they would not be proceeding with the change. 

Local campaigner James Wheeler and I met the owner of Clee Hill Stores to discuss keeping keep the branch in its current location, which was clearly the preference of local residents. I am very pleased the Post Office have listened to our concerns, and decided to maintain the branch in Clee Hill Stores.
Ludlow Constituency outperforms UK in tackling cancer
Welcome news from Cancer Research UK this month, showing the Ludlow Constituency is ahead of the national average in preventing cancer. South Shropshire residents and clinicians clearly take the prevention and treatment of cancer seriously.

The research shows the number of people seen by a specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer is above average, at 94.8%. In addition, 98.2% of patients receive radiotherapy within 31 days of the first treatment in Shropshire CCG.

I was particularly pleased to note South Shropshire has a lower smoking rate than the UK as a whole, at 16.9%. But I would encourage anyone considering quitting to do so, and hope those who have made use of this month's Stoptober campaign will continue on their path towards quitting for good. 
Encouraging flu vaccinations
Last week I attended Westminster Flu Day, a flu vaccine clinic held in the House of Commons, to encourage South Shropshire residents to get this season’s flu vaccine in line with Government recommendations.

50% of at-risk people and 28% of people over the age of 65 in Shropshire were not vaccinated against flu last year, even though the consequences of not having a flu vaccine can be serious. The best way for South Shropshire residents to protect themselves against the flu this winter is to get the flu vaccine. So I would urge everyone who is entitled to a free flu vaccine to go and visit their GP or pharmacist.

I am very pleased that the Government has extended free flu jabs to Year 3 school children for first time this year, so that now all children aged 2 to 7 by 31st August will be eligible.

Updated social media prosecution advice
I welcome this month's new guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service on a range of offences for which social media users could face prosecution. Although it is a wonderful tool, sadly some people feel the need to use the internet to project violence and prejudice into the world. 

The effect on the vulnerable can be profound, and for too long we have tolerated behaviour online that would be heinous if carried out public. The guidance will inform decisions to pursue criminal charges. Among the categories of offence in the new guidance are: 

• communications that may constitute threats of violence to person or property;

• communications specifically targeting individuals which may constituent harassment, stalking, blackmail or disclosing sexual material without consent; 

• communications in breach of a court order; and 

• communications that do not fall into these categories, but can be considered grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or false. 

This new guidance gives greater clarity for prosecutors to act against those who break the law, but attempt to hide behind the anonymity of the internet. It will take time, but it is important we act against those who are enabled by the internet to target other people online with malicious intent. 

New hotline number for power cuts
As winter approaches, power cuts may occur. If so, there is often a lack of awareness about how to report it, or how to receive information on what has gone wrong. Many people contact their energy firm instead of the network operator, or don’t readily have the 11 digit phone number in order to call their operator.

The new national number, 105, will put customers through to their local electricity network operator, giving an easy to remember contact to report or receive more information on power cuts in your area.
Ludlow Health Forum public meeting
The next meeting of the Ludlow Health Forum will take place at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on 9th November, from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. It is a public meeting, and Simon Wright, Chief Executive of SATH will be on hand to discuss the future of A&E care in the county. 
Baby-Loss Awareness Week
Earlier this month I responded on behalf of the Government on a debate called by my colleague Antoinette Sandbach MP on Baby-Loss, coinciding with Baby Loss Awareness Week. 

Regrettably, all MPs have some knowledge of the impact of Baby Loss on their constituents. It is difficult to collate information about this tragedy, since miscarriages sometimes go unreported, but evidence from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Baby Loss suggests as many as one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage.

I was humbled to respond for the Government. This was the most moving debate I have taken part in since first being elected in 2005, with some Members reflecting on their own baby-loss experiences for the very first time in public. Their bravery was staggering, and I really believe this debate showed the House of Commons at its best. 

You can watch the full debate here, which begins at 11.42. 
Answering Health Questions
Each month Ministers answer questions from the Opposition and other Members of Parliament about issues within their brief. The latest took place on 11th October, which you can watch here...

If you would like to raise a concern, or book an appointment at one of my regular advice surgeries, please contact me via:

Post: 54 Broad Street, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1GP
Email: philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk 
or phone: 01584 872187.

You can keep up to date with my latest work for the Ludlow Constituency at www.philipdunne.com, or follow me on Twitter or Facebook (search Dunne4Ludlow).

Yours sincerely

Philip Dunne

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