Good news from St Richard’s this week, as they achieved another CQC rating of outstanding, which is a huge achievement, especially given the challenges the health service has faced over the past few years.
Many of you will know I have been campaigning to secure a new radiotherapy unit at the hospital since 2017. I recently wrote to the new CEO of the University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr. George Findlay, about introducing radiotherapy treatment at the hospital. Radiotherapy is a hugely important tool to treat cancer and is already used in over 50 per cent of all cases. Like with many areas of my work, I was first made aware that Chichester lacked this provision thanks to a constituent who shared his story of travelling to Portsmouth and back every day whilst undergoing treatment. I was later shocked to learn that there is not a single linear accelerator in the whole county of West Sussex.
At the time I co-founded a cross-party group on radiotherapy which is still doing fantastic work to promote better access and quality of radiotherapy treatment across the country. In my letter to Dr Findlay, I asked for an update as I know his predecessor Dame Marianne Griffiths was seeking support from the relevant parties to develop such a unit. I will continue to share updates on this on my website, www.gilliankeegan.com.
In other news, I have recently written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up to lend my full support for Chichester District Council’s bid for £13.7 million of funding. The aim is to connect and enhance Chichester city’s cultural highlights, key landmarks, and sporting organisations. The three proposed projects will focus on Northgate; Priory Park; and a new Cathedral Square – which would provide an open-air event space.
All three will help connect and grow our already impressive cultural offering and stimulate economic growth as we recover from the pandemic. I want to thank the Council and everyone who’s worked on this bid to take advantage of the Government's levelling-up support.
