RUGBY’s MP has lobbied the government for more funding for nurseries and cancer screening facilities in the constituency.
Mark Pawsey joined calls by MPs for the government to give greater support to early years childcare providers like Rugby’s Pathfinders Day Nursery, and more funding for facilities such as St Cross Hospital’s bowel cancer screening hub.
He took part in a Parliamentary debate focusing on the challenges facing the childcare sector, including the variation between funding for different local authorities.
Mr Pawsey highlighted the work he had seen at Pathfinders and the issues raised by their director Alison Dyke – including the lack of funding which requires many nurseries to ask parents for extra money for food.
Junior education minister Nadhim Zahawi acknowledged MPs’ funding concerns and pledged to raise them during the forthcoming spending review.
After the debate, Mr Pawsey said: “I was very impressed at the quality of childcare at providers such as Pathfinders Day Nursery and it was clear from the debate in Parliament that this is the standard that we should be aiming for throughout the country.
“Helping more parents access high quality early years childcare has a number of benefits. I am grateful to the minister for recognising this and for looking carefully at the issues raised by Alison Dyke and other providers to ensure that as many children as possible can benefit from a good nursery place.”
Alison Dyke, director of Pathfinder Nursery and chair of the Warwickshire National Day Nurseries Association Network, said: “I thank Mark very much for his work.
“My colleagues and I are really grateful for the interest Mark is taking in our campaign for additional funding.”
Mr Pawsey is also supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s campaign to improve waiting times for tests that could diagnose bowel cancer – the UK’s second leading cause of cancer death.
The tests, called endoscopy procedures – which use cameras in the bowel to detect cancer at the earliest stage – are carried out at St Cross.
Mr Pawsey joined more than 5,000 people and cross-party MPs in signing the charity’s open letter calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond and heath minister Matt Hancock to improve availability of screening tests and tackle staff shortages.
The letter was handed to the government ahead of the autumn budget at the end of this month and the publication of the NHS 10 Year plan in November.
Mr Pawsey said: “I want to see that everyone referred for bowel cancer screening is seen in a timely manner.
“That’s why I have signed Bowel Cancer UK’s important letter urging the government to invest in this lifesaving treatment, and facilities such as the bowel cancer screening hub at St Cross, ahead of the autumn budget.
“Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage of bowel cancer will survive, but this drops significantly as the disease develops, so getting patients timely access to these tests is vital.
“I know the nurses and staff at St Cross work tirelessly to help identify those at risk of bowel cancer, and everyone who is entitled to screening should receive this test.”
