When the news of the proposed closure of Hartismere Hospital broke in August 2005 it came as a huge shock to everyone in the area.

Eric Havers (Chairman of the Friends of Hartismere Hospital), and I got together to decide what we could do. It was decided to form a small Action Group to fight the closure as hard as we could. A knee operation on 1 September confined me to my home so the Action Group met there and we have continued to meet every week or two right up to the present time.

Eric Havers has been a tower of strength; Helen Tucker (the consultant to the Friends), has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Group and Shona Bendix, Matthew Spence and Councillor Mrs Sara Michell have all played their parts.

You could not have a better example of local people fighting a just cause on behalf of local people. Let us hope we can prevail.Sir Michael Lord says "Rest assured I will continue to work hard to ensure that a suitable and viable future for the Hartismere is agreed and that the Government does not back-track on this decision".

SIR MICHAEL LORD MP indulged in a touch of ‘spin’ as he helped promote a Cancer Research UK drive to highlight ways in which cancer can be prevented through changes to lifestyle.

The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich played the Wheel of Life at a special healthy living day at the Houses of Parliament in January. The event helped launch the second year of Cancer Research UK’s Reduce the Risk campaign to MPs. Reduce the Risk aims to raise awareness of the avoidable risks of cancer and the importance of early detection.

The Wheel of Life is a fun way to find out about the risks and benefits of different behaviours such as eating healthily, smoking or sunbathing. Players are awarded points based on where the wheel stops; for example, you can lose 500 points for being a heavy smoker but win back 200 for swapping your pie for a healthy alternative!

“Stopping smoking is the most important thing people can
do to reduce their cancer risk, which is why Cancer Research UK called on all MPs to vote for legislation to end smoking in all workplaces when the Health Bill was debated in February. Regular exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk of lung cancer by 25 per cent and contributes to a wide range of serious diseases. Workers in pubs and private members’ clubs deserve the same right to protection from secondhand smoke as everyone else.”

Speaking at the event, Sir Michael Lord said: “Half of all cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes so it is in our own interests that we each do all we can to reduce our risk.”

Sir Michael at a charity night in aid of the ‘Save Broomhill Pool’ campaign of which he is a very strong supporter. Michael continues to work closely with the Save the Broomhill Pool campaign.