A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.

In this month’s column Wrexham’s MP, Sarah Atherton writes:

As residents will know, the position of the Metastatic Cancer Nurse at the Wrexham Maelor is under threat of being cut due to Welsh Labour Government underfunding.

As a former nurse myself. I know how vital the support provided by specialist Metastatic Cancer Nurses is to cancer patients and their families at the most difficult of times.

The incredible nurse at Wrexham works with patients in co-ordinating their treatment and care, provides emotional and psychological support for cancer patients and is a direct point of contact for any questions or concerns.

Given the delays in diagnosis and treatment that cancer patients in Wales already experience, it is frankly unacceptable that the Health Board are even considering cutting Wrexham’s Metastatic Cancer Nurse due to financial constraints. The Welsh Government are responsible for funding the NHS in Wales and it is imperative that they provide the Health Board with the money it needs to retain Wrexham’s Metastatic Cancer Nurse.

I have launched a petition in order to send a strong message on behalf of the women of Wrexham to save Wrexham’s Metastatic Cancer Nurse, and I urge you to join me in this fight. The results of this petition will be presented to the Chief Executive at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board so let’s demand better for cancer patients in Wrexham.

Please add your voice in the fight for a permanently funded, full-time Metastatic Cancer Nurse to remain at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. To sign my petition, please head to my website (www.sarahatherton.org.uk) and click on ‘Save Wrexham’s Metastatic Cancer Nurse’.

After making numerous representations to the Chancellor on behalf of my constituents, I am pleased that the state pension 8.5% uplift, thanks to the UK Government’s commitment to the triple lock, has now taken effect.

This means that pensioners in Wrexham will receive an additional £900 a year.

The state pension is the foundation of state support for many older people, and that is why I believe it is essential that the triple lock is maintained so that those eligible can live with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Beyond this, I am looking forward to campaigning on a manifesto which will commit to maintaining the triple lock for the next five years.

This is in stark contrast to the Labour Party, which is refusing to protect our pensioners, by matching the Conservatives’ commitment to increasing the state pension.

During a recent visit to the Wrexham Tennis Centre, amidst the buzz of the Lexus Welsh Junior Open, I was delighted to see the plans for the £2 million injection from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. I heard how the investment will help to transform the Centre, as well as being used to resurface all existing tennis courts, install floodlights, and make various improvements to the Centre.

In addition, the Centre also plans to use this money to build three outdoor padel courts.

The Centre has been granted planning permission and it was exciting to hear that the works are starting in May. Thanks to UK Government investment, Wrexham is becoming a tennis powerhouse and will be one of the premier sites in the UK.

In other UK Government funding news, I visited the Salvation Army in Rhosddu to see how they are utilising almost £50,000 of UK Government investment in their ‘Employment Programme’.

This initiative supports an Employment Development Coordinator who aids up to 60 long-term unemployed individuals find work and address their life challenges.

I was pleased to meet the team, discuss how the programme makes a difference to individuals in the community and meet those who have benefitted from the programme, many of whom were veterans.

Since my election, I have worked closely with Ty Dewr Lifehouse, run by the Salvation Army for veterans in Wrexham. As a veteran with a Parliamentary defence brief, I spoke with veterans receiving help from the programme and we touched on the challenges of transitioning to civilian employment.

However, the veterans confirmed that the programme enables them to learn how to harness and recognise the in-demand skills that are developed during service. In addition, as a sitting member of HMP Berwyn’s Employment Board, it was great to hear that the programme also assists ex-offenders into employment.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Wrexham AFC on winning promotion to League 1, achieving back-to-back promotions is an outstanding achievement. Credit to everyone involved with the football club. Like many residents, I am already looking forward to next season! #Wrexhamisthename.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me on: [email protected].