CAROLINE ANSELL MP: It’s hard to argue use of Eastbourne railway station health centre is declining

It was wonderful to be with performers and their supporters for Eastbourne Music and Arts Festival’s 60th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre.

The event was an absolute riot of colour, sound and movement and every performance gave something special from deeply moving to totally joyful.

What a wealth of young talent we have in our town and how proud we can be.

There was only one moment of anxiety when the mayor and I were invited to take to the stage!

On a more serious note, I spent time at the Station Health Centre talking to patients and staff.

It was a busy Saturday morning and hard to see the argument that its use is declining.

I also took the opportunity to approach the ‘make a noise’ protesters at the front of the station and agreed with the group’s organiser that they would relay significant insights from their public engagement to me.

I’m concerned about this proposed closure because of the face of it, it creates more pressure on GP practices and reduces access and choice.

I know it is highly valued in the community, I used this facility myself, late one Christmas Eve, and was very grateful for it.

I went on to meet traders in Victoria Mansions at the top end of Terminus Road who have been hard hit by the seafront road closure and scaffolding so vast, it has all but hidden them from view.

A shout out for other visits included the most fantastic time at Langney County Primary School where the children were dressed to match their future job ambitions.

I was grilled about what it’s like to be an MP – they would certainly all make great journalists!

And learning was very much the theme of the day, going on to the Eastbourne Campus of the University of Brighton to meet the wave of health apprentices who are going to be so critical to the NHS workforce of the future.

All of these times to meet and listen underpin the work I do, at home and in Parliament.

I’ve got a busy weekend ahead now with advice surgeries and an International Women’s Day event at the Town Hall with the theme ‘Equal for All’.

Hope to see you in town!