It is almost unbelievable that, as we enter into the summer holidays, the warm – or rather sweltering! – weather continues...and looks set to get EVEN hotter. Please try and keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and friends, make sure you take it easy yourselves, keep hydrated, make sure you’re smothered in sun cream and try and stay out of the sun during the full heat of the day. It goes without saying that the same goes for your pets – albeit maybe less sun cream will be required!
As a result of all of this hot weather I’m sure that many of you will have been flocking to your local pharmacies to get something to sooth sunburn or relieve hay fever. It goes without saying that our pharmacies and the teams who work within them do SO much good in our communities, and it was great to meet constituents in Westminster last week representing the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and speak about the value of community pharmacists. Their remarkable work helps patients with all kinds of health matters from managing diabetes or stopping smoking, to advice on treatments and diagnosis all of which is provided by the comfort of their own pharmacies or local healthcare centres. Pharmacies are also really useful for those with young kids and often have private rooms which are great if you just want to quickly chat over a concern or if you aren’t sure but don’t want to bother you GP.
Last Tuesday brought another inspiring and informative day. Meeting Stella and the folks from Breast Cancer Care was a key reminder about the wonderful work the after-care team do to support women with Breast Cancer and post-treatment. A third of women with breast cancer have constant pain as a result of treatment, and breast cancer can also have detrimental effects on a woman’s confidence. Support should not end after treatment. After hearing the stories of so many women and their families in my constituency who suffer from such a terrible, life changing disease, I am glad there are people like Stella who carry such a vital message to Parliament.
At the end of the week I was back down in Eastleigh for a busy few days chatting with constituents, starting at the Highways Agency information event looking at plans to upgrade Junctions 4 to 11 of the M27 to Smart Motorway before joining hundreds of others at the Netley Marsh Steam Show! On Sunday I had the great privilege to again attend the Asian Welfare and Cultural Association MELA. I was so delighted to be a part of the MELA alongside Cabinet Minister and neighbouring MP, Caroline Nokes. SO much food and music from around the world on what was a stunning sunny day on the south coast - the perfect combination to end the week! I am proud to represent a constituency that welcomes cultural diversity and supports local businesses. Bring on next year!
Now as we approach the summer recess things will be quietening down a little in Westminster as we ALL make the most of the rest of the summer, but as always, me and my team will be around, and if you need to raise something with me, please drop me a line at mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk