I hope that you were able to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing Christmas with your loved ones recently, and are looking forward to the New Year celebrations as we leave behind an eventful 2022 and look forward to 2023.
The break between Christmas and New Year offers many people some time off work and a chance to catch up with family and friends, particularly those who live further afield. However I recognise that many people will have been working as normal, particularly those in our emergency services and those who work in health and social care. I want to thank all those who work in these sectors for the hard work they do day in, day out, looking after us and our families in times of need.
In 2023 our NHS will mark its 75th anniversary, and this will be a chance to celebrate all that has been achieved throughout the years, with many babies born, treatments provided and lives saved. Whilst I know the NHS has its challenges and its imperfections, it would be difficult to imagine life without it. In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last month an extra £8bn of funding was announced for the next two years in health and adult social care, as we seek to address the impact caused by the pandemic.
Next year will also be significant as, for the first time in 70 years, we see the Coronation of a new monarch, and the first for a King in 86 years. It’s an occasion many of us have never witnessed before, and I’m sure many of us will be huddled around the TV, or maybe watching on devices that were a long way from being invented back in 1953! It will certainly be a significant occasion in our national history.
Whatever your plans are for 2023, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
This article first appeared in the Halesowen & Dudley News on Thursday 29th December 2022.
