This morning I popped over to Swanage to visit an "oustanding" school and the excellent hospital in the town.

St. Mary's RC First School received its Ofsted report last week and was found to be "outstanding".  I wanted to visit as soon as possible to congratulate the pupils, staff, headteacher, governors and parentson this great achievement.

I spoke at the assembly and then looked around the school that has done so well despite a clear need for new buildings.  I asked the pupils why they thought it was such a good school and they got it about right - "good lessons", "they obey the rules", and "good behaviour".

The it was on to the hospital to discuss the proposals to reduce the opening hours for the minor injuries unit to 8am-10pm.  It was a very useful meeting that I found very reassuring.  I have asked for more information in certain areas but some things were very clear.

Swanage is the only minor injuries unit still open 24 hours a day in Dorset.  In the last year it has seen between 4 and 21 patients per month.  The sort of injuries treated have been lacerations and some general illness that should have been treated by the GP out of hours service.  I was promised that this doesn't effect the emergency service and the £100,000 saving would be reinvested in Swanage.  It would allow more nurse care during peak times and an expansion of x-ray services so that fewer patients would have to go to Poole with suspected broken arms etc.  I was also promised there were no job losses or reductions.

I will continue to monitor this very carefully but, on the basis of what I have been promised, I think the proposals may improve the service at Swanage.