Local MP and ‘Carers Ambassador’ Tessa Munt has announced her party’s intention to reward almost 1,300 carers in the Mendip area and more than 1,600 carers in the Sedgemoor area with a bonus worth up to £250 a year – should the Lib Dems form part of the next Government.

The annual bonus will help more than one million people who look after disabled loved-ones nationally, and would be available to anyone who receives the Carer’s Allowance or the Carer’s Premium.

The annual payment will help full-time carers get a bit of extra help and is in recognition of the invaluable contribution they make to society.

Tessa said:

Tessa has been honoured with a request from the UK-wide Carers’ campaign to become one of just three Parliamentary Ambassadors, in a role which aims to reach out and support the huge number of carers.

Tessa has long campaigned for more recognition and better services for Somerset’s carers and was offered the role in recognition of this work.

Carers’ Week Quest 2014 is calling on individuals and organisations across the UK to sign up to a ground-breaking initiative to reach carers in their local communities who miss out on vital support and services.

Hundreds of organisations and individuals are currently signing up to support the Carers’ Week Quest – the greatest ever drive to reach out to the UK’s carers.

The very nature of caring – of being there for a loved one facing ill health or disability – means too often people don’t at first – and sometimes never – identify themselves as a carer and therefore miss out on support which is available.

Local MP Tessa Munt joined villagers and Parish Councillors at the weekend for the unveiling of a new life-saving defibrillator.

The equipment, used to guide bystanders through the steps which can save the life of a cardiac arrest patients, is sited on the wall outside the Memorial Hall in Binegar Lane.

Welcoming everyone, Gus Halfhide, said:

“We were faced with the task of raising £3,000, but thanks to the generosity of many people, we are now in possession of this new piece of life-saving equipment.”

Local MP Tessa Munt met 10-year-old Mimi in Westminster on 11 March to discuss the impact of type 1 diabetes on people’s lives at a Parliamentary event.

Mimi Astle from Cheddar was chosen to attend this special event called ‘Type 1 Parliament’ by JDRF – the global type 1 diabetes charity. She was one of sixty adults and children who live with the condition to be selected from across the country to represent their area.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic and challenging condition. The exact cause is unclear, but it is not linked to lifestyle or diet.  A child diagnosed with it at the age of five faces up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18.

Local MP Tessa last week joined staff at the Vine Surgery in Street for the afternoon.

Tessa was very keen to experience firsthand how a busy surgery operates. She was greeted by Dr Frances da Cunha and Practice Manager, Dr Sharon Morgan for a tour, before sitting in on some consultations with patients. After a quick break Tessa spoke with Sharon and the Reception team about their roles and changing workloads.

Tessa also spent time meeting with the PPG (Patient Participation Group) representatives, District Nurse Lead and GP’s from other West Mendip Federation Practices.

Tessa said:

“I was delighted to be invited to spend the day at the Vine Street Surgery. Surgeries like Vine Street provide a vital and much valued service to communities”.

“GPs are working harder than ever before to meet demand. “More than 340 million patient consultations are now estimated to be undertaken annually by GPs, up 40 million since 2008.

“Politicians take decisions every day that impact on people’s lives, It’s absolutely vital that we get a real understanding not just of the pressures that many practices are facing, but how greater support from Government would help general practice deliver even better care to patients.”