As temperatures drop, we all need to be looking after our health. I was reminded of that this week when supporting local company, Sigma, at the Independent Pharmacy Awards.

Nearly 400,000 people in Hertfordshire can get a free flu job at their local pharmacy, often without an appointment.

Many young children at infants school are being vaccinated at school too ­— without needles! ­— using the nasal spray. If your child’s school isn’t offering this, your GP can.

The Government has provided £145 million extra funding for the NHS this winter. The funding will be used to upgrade hospital wards and A&E departments and provide up to 900 new beds. I pushed for some of that money to go to Watford General Hospital to increase capacity in our A&E for the busy months ahead. The extra beds there will mean that patients can be seen more quickly.

But there are also lots of local schemes to support A&E. For example, extended opening hours at GP surgeries across Watford, basing nurse practitioners in care homes, and ambulance staff being in Watford town centre on busy festive evenings.

I’m proud that care at Watford General is improving, particularly with the recent move out of special measures showing sustained improvements across the board. But it’s fair to say that most parts of the building are not up to standard, that’s why I’m also backing plans to redevelop our hospital, once and for all. Over the coming weeks and months, I will be working closely with the Department for Health and NHS Staff to make sure we have the funds we need to revamp facilities.

  • Richard Harrington is Conservative MP for Watford