LIVING in West Wycombe and representing over 73,000 local electors, I am well aware that healthcare remains the foremost political issue even so long after the loss of services under the last government.

In a representative democracy, it is right public concerns are pursued. That’s why I have fought hard for greater accountability, local emergency cover, higher-quality care and bringing services under more meaningful public direction.

It is not good enough that the NHS is beyond the control of both those who pay for it and elected representatives.

The Better Healthcare in Buckinghamshire consultation in 2012 saw poor public participation and no real sense that local opinion steered official action. It ought to be possible for the public to participate meaningfully in the much-needed conversation about the balance between absolute quality, availability and cost of health care.

There is however some positive news.

Wycombe Hospital is equipped with units for two of the biggest killers: heart attack and stroke. Victims of these conditions are not required to make it to Aylesbury: those emergency treatments are provided here. Making sure everyone knows what’s in Wycombe is a job for the Trust’s communication team. I have asked them to do more to get the message out.

After being placed in special measures by the Keogh Review team, the Trust has been through a comprehensive programme of improvement. Additional doctors and nurses have been recruited.

There’s now a dedicated phone line for those providing community services to access support more quickly out-of hours. A new Acute Medical Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital will see patients referred by their GP for urgent care or transferred from Wycombe Hospital so that patients bypass the A&E front door.

I have received fewer complaints about the Trust and its services over the last few months.

After an extremely difficult period, the NHS locally may have turned a corner. We will find out after the Care Quality Commission Inspection in late March. As a member of the Conservative Public Services Policy Commission covering health and education, I know hospitals like ours across the country have the same basic problems. I’m exploring innovative ways we might enable the NHS to do more in places like ours.

If you have had experiences good or bad, please let me and our local Healthwatch know. I can be reached via 01494 448408 and Healthwatch Bucks is at www.healthwatchbucks.co.uk