DESPATCH BOX


1710


Earlier in October, I took part in a public meeting in Airdrie on the future of local post offices which had been organised by the local MP Pamela Nash. A large number of people turned out for this


meeting which shows clearly that there is a real concern about the future of our local post offices and also that people value them. Over the past few weeks I have received


several hundred cards calling on post offices to continue to be able to deliver a range of government services such as driving licences, vehicle tax discs and other DVLA services. As Shadow Minister for Postal Affairs, I have been pushing the Government on this.


Therefore, I very much welcomed the


announcement that the Post Office has been chosen as the front office counter service provider for motoring services from next April.


This has come about through the campaigning


and hard work of many individuals and organisations, including the fantastic postcard campaign orchestrated by the National Federation of Subpostmasters and the Communication Workers Union (CWU). Indeed, only a matter of weeks ago it was confirmed to me by the Department that the announcement on this contract would be delayed until the end of November. It looks like the pressure has got to them. Nevertheless, it is welcome, as the network’s survival will be very much dependent on government contracts of this sort and customers’ ability to access these services through their post office.


I know that people across South Edinburgh


appreciate their Post Offices and want to see government services being made available at their local branch.


I’m backing the Prostate Cancer UK initiative to ensure that men with prostate cancer receive the best possible care and support regardless of where they live throughout the UK. Prostate Cancer UK’s


‘Quality Checklist: Your Standards of Care’ outlines what support men with prostate cancer should expect to receive from the health service through every step of their treatment journey. The organisation is concerned that the Scottish Quality Performance Indicators,


which are meant to outline the quality of care men should expect to receive in Scotland, are far from comprehensive and do not include many aspects of care that matter most to men. Prostate cancer is the


most common cancer in men. It is incredibly important that we do all we can to ensure all men affected by the disease get the care and support they need. To view the Quality please


Checklist


prostatecanceruk.org/qualityca re


visit


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