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Michael Tomlinson MP March Newsletter
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Michael Co-sponsors Bill to save NHS over £1bn per year


Michael Talking to Health Secretary Matt Hancock

Fax machines and pagers in NHS hospitals and other bodies could be banned under new legislation.
The National Health Service (Prohibition of Fax Machines and Pagers) Bill was introduced on Tuesday 26 February by Alan Mak MP and co-sponsored Michael Tomlinson in the House of Commons. This could save over £1bn per year.

If passed, it would put into law the Government’s commitment that was outlined in the recent NHS Long Term Plan to digitalise the NHS. The use of ageing technology such as fax machines and pagers cost the NHS millions of pounds, and the new legislation would ensure NHS Trusts and quangos would be banned from using fax machines and pagers by 2021.

 It comes after statistics revealed in July that more than 8,000 fax machines are still being used by the NHS in England. Meanwhile in a report published last year for the think-tank Centre for Policy Studies, Mr Mak outlined how the NHS accounted for more than 10% of all pagers in circulation worldwide – with more than 100,000 still in use across hospitals.

 By replacing the pager, it is estimated that the NHS could thousands of hours of staff time and over £1bn per year. Trials using a digital, WhatsApp style replacement for the pager called Medic Bleep at West Suffolk Hospital saved nurses more than 20 minutes per shift, and doctors more than 50 minutes.

Michael scrutinises Bill to protect children at risk of FGM

 

Michael Tomlinson was pleased to serve on a recent Bill Committee scrutinising the Children Act 1989 (Amendment) Female Genital Mutilation Bill.

The Bill seeks to close a gap in existing laws to better protect children at risk and allow the courts to act more quickly. The Bill was passed with cross party support, without amendment, and will now proceed for a third reading in the House of Commons.

Michael said “This is an important piece of legislation and I was pleased to be able to scrutinise the Bill. The Government has been clear that Female Genital Mutilation is unacceptable and these changes will help protect vulnerable children who are at risk.”

Supporting World Book Day


Michael is supporting World Book Day’s national ‘Share a Story’ campaign, encouraging parents and carers to read with their children for ten minutes a day.

Children across Mid Dorset & North Poole will be given a £1 book token for World Book Day, taking place on the 7th March 2019, which they can take to a bookshop or supermarket to get their free World Book Day book (or £1 off any full price book that they choose).
 
Michael said “My children love to read and always look forward to World Book Day, especially the dressing up! Reading is a fundamental part of education, and a key factor in how well our Children will get on in life. It is therefore so pleasing to see all of our schools getting involved to make reading more exciting."

Michael joins 'Star Chamber' to look closely at any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.

 

Work around Brexit continues. Michael has joined fellow Conservative lawyers to look closely at any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that might be secured by the Attorney general. Michael spoke to the Sunday Times, setting out his views on what needs to happen next. Below is the opening extract of the Sunday Times article.

Michael Tomlinson is not a household name. The Eurosceptic Tory MP for Mid Dorset and
North Poole was a barrister before entering parliament four years ago, and is not given to attention-grabbing statements. Yet he might just be the most important person in Britain you have never heard of.

Last week he was one of 20 Conservative MPs who voted against Theresa May’s plan to let MPs vote on a delay to Brexit if they do not approve her departure deal this month.

On Friday he was named as one of the eight members of a legal “star chamber” set up by the European Research Group (ERG), the hardline Brexiteers led by Jacob Rees-Mogg. And therein lies his significance. The star chamber will rule on whether the government has won sufficiently robust concessions from Brussels.
The so-called Cash committee, named after Sir Bill Cash, the veteran Eurosceptic, will mark the homework of Geoffrey Cox, the attorney-general, who is seeking a legally binding admission from the EU that the planned Northern Ireland “backstop” cannot lock Britain into a perpetual customs union with Brussels. As one of the most hardline Brexiteers in the group, Tomlinson’s vote will be crucial to the fate of May’s deal.

To read the whole article, please click here 
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Visiting StreetLight in Wimborne


Michael had a brilliant visit to the StreetLight Centre in Wimborne where he met the staff and volunteers, and tried one of the scooters for himself.  StreetLight is a project working with local churches, schools  and other organisations with a focus on skating and their cafe. It is a great community resource for young people. It is open most days after school, and at weekends.

You can find details of opening hours on their website www.streetlightproject.org.uk and you'll be sure of a warm welcome!
National Apprenticeships Week



Michael gave his support to National Apprenticeship Week 2019, highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships to employers, individuals, local communities and the wider economy in a week-long celebration of apprenticeships. He met with Matt, an apprentice with Royal Mail to hear about the excellent training he receives on the job.

Michael is currently looking at ways to improve apprenticeships as part of the work of the All Party parliamentary Group on Youth Employment, which he chairs.
Dementia Friendly Purbeck


 

Michael was delighted to join members and volunteers of Dementia Friendly Purbeck recently at their ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event held in Wareham Town Hall. Delicious cakes were served as part of fundraising efforts to fund a specialist Admiral nurse for the local area. Over £400 was raised.

Michael said “Thank you to everyone at Dementia Friendly Purbeck for a brilliant event. I was particularly pleased to speak to our Purbeck Admiral nurse and I know that the funds raised will make a big difference. The work they do in the community is inspirational.”
Surgeries 

To book an appointment at one of Michael's surgeries then please do phone the office on 01202 624216 or email Michael at michael.tomlinson.mp @parliament.uk
Ways to contact Michael

By Phone: 
01202 624216
0207 219 5844

By Post: 
House of Commons, 
London, 
SW1A 0AA

By Email:
michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk
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Michael Tomlinson · Race Farm · Huntick Road · Lytchett Matravers, Dorset BH16 6BB · United Kingdom

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