This has been a month full of good news for our community, and I’m delighted to be able to share three big wins that many of you have helped make happen.
First and foremost, Queen Mary’s Hospital Enhanced GP Hub, also known as the Minor Injuries Unit, has been saved.
I’ve had a series of meeting with the hospital management and they have listened and announced the news in a meeting at St George’s Hospital.
My very first call was to local resident Lisa Bogg, who works at Putneymead GP surgery and started the petition to save the service.
Nearly 10,000 people signed that petition, a huge show of local support.
The Hub sees more than 800 patients every month and is vital for Roehampton and Putney residents.
Without it, people would have to travel much further to St George’s or Kingston Hospitals.
During the pandemic, I campaigned to keep it open, and in recent months I’ve met with the Health Minister, the CEO of the Integrated Care Board and St George’s Trust to press home how essential it is.
I am so pleased that local voices have been listened to, but I won’t stop here.
I’ll keep working with the hospital management and Roehampton councillors to return the Hub to being a walk-in centre.
The second piece of good news came from Transport for London.
Both East Putney and Putney Bridge stations have been chosen to move forward to full feasibility studies for step-free access.
This takes them from a long list of 30 stations to 17 stations, which won’t all be funded.
This is a huge step forward (no pun intended!) after years of campaigning alongside residents, councillors, and community groups.
More than 3,000 local people signed the petition I launched with Councillor Finna Ayres.
Parents with buggies, older residents, disabled people, and travellers with luggage all need lifts at these busy stations.
The studies will begin next year, and I’ll keep pushing until lifts are actually installed.
No one in our community should be excluded from using their local station because of steep steps.
Finally, Wandsworth Council has announced a major £9.5 million refurbishment for Putney Leisure Centre.
This is a well-used and much-loved local facility, and I’m especially pleased that the plans include a big new soft play area for children.
Two years ago, I met with the Putney mums’ group who asked for better facilities for younger children, and I organised a meeting so they could share their ideas.
I’m thrilled that their suggestions have been built into the refurbishment.
There will be a mini-soft play area soon, and a much larger one later on, alongside major improvements to the pool, gym, and changing rooms.
These three announcements show what can be achieved when we work together, residents, councillors, campaigners, and local MPs all raising our voices.
Thank you to everyone who has signed a petition, written a letter, or joined a meeting.
It’s a privilege to keep campaigning for our community, and I promise I’ll keep going until each of these wins is fully delivered.
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