"Regular readers will recall that I’ve constantly been pressing the case on behalf of patients to boost dentistry provision here in East Suffolk. It’s great news, therefore, that the University of Suffolk and the Integrated Care System are setting up a new centre for dental development based on the University campus in Ipswich. Not only providing treatment on the NHS but designed to attract and train newly qualified dentists to boost the supply of dentists across our county. I have much more confidence in the local NHS to address this key issue rather than the centre, which has been letting us down. This is a great first step in boosting dentist capacity on a more permanent basis.
Talking of local successes, I was delighted to attend the completion of the SouthGen-led project to convert Southwold’s former cottage hospital into a community hub and nine affordable homes, let by Hastoe Housing Association. The community hub has breathed new life into the town by providing a new home for the library, a nursery, farm-to-fork café and co-working space for local entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers. To mark the completion of the project, I was pleased to be asked to plant a Victoria Plum tree. As I said at the ceremony, this project has taken a lot of guts, courage and determination. There wouldn’t have been many communities prepared to take on a project like this and its success lies completely in the strength, tenacity and creativity of all those involved.
Finally, it was great to meet pupils from the Yox Valley partnership (Yoxford, Middleton and Southwold Primary schools) as part of their visit to Westminster last week. Following their tour of Parliament, I spent some time speaking to them and answering their questions in the education centre. I always encourage our schools to visit Parliament so I’m glad they enjoyed their day and my thanks to the teachers for organisning such a worthwhile visit."