Local MP and Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow visited Boots Opticians on Sutton High Street on Friday 27^th January to find out why regular eye tests are so important in preventing blindness.

1.8 million people[1] in the UK are living with sight loss and this figure is set to increase by 115% to nearly 4 million people by 2050, largely due to the ageing population. Much of this is preventable through the early detection and treatment of eye problems. Regular eye tests are a simple and practical way to maintain good eye health and look after your eyes.

Patients at St Helier Hospital- from newborns in the maternity unit to elderly people being treated in the specialty wards - were handed Christmas gifts from two local MPs and the hospital's dedicated charity this morning (23 December 2011).

The St Helier and Sutton League of Friends purchased 350 small gifts for patients and distributed them with the help of Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam and Minister of State for Care Services, and MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Tom Brake.

Most of us know what it feels like to sit in a hospital waiting room, and it is not often a pleasant experience. The time spent waiting can be worrying, stressful and uncomfortable. Indeed, waiting for any kind of treatment is never going to be easy - which is why the Liberal Democrats are committed to keeping waiting times low. We aim to do this while engaging in the difficult task, set in motion by the last Labour Government, to find £20 billion of efficiency savings by 2015.

Whenever I meet a carer I am humbled by their dedication and touched by the love they show in the face of daily adversity. To be a carer you have to be a pretty special person. It is also likely that you feel your tireless efforts to care for a family member or friend generally go unnoticed.

But the Liberal Democrats want to make sure this silent army of carers is recognised. Every year unpaid carers save our national services an estimated £119 billion a year (http://www.carersuk.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2121&Itemid=8), which is why we included a manifesto pledge to provide guaranteed respite care for the one million carers who work the longest hours.

Paul Burstow has welcomed the Autumn Statement, saying it will offer practical help to those who need it most, while steering the economy towards a stable recovery.

Delivered in the House of Commons today (TUE), the bi-annual economic forecast includes plans to increase the state pension and provide more free education to young children.

Paul Burstow has welcomed the Autumn Statement, saying it will offer practical help to those who need it most, while steering the economy towards a stable recovery.

Delivered in the House of Commons today (TUE), the bi-annual economic forecast includes plans to increase the state pension and provide more free education to young children.

The importance of mental health has been highlighted in a major new NHS report, says Paul Burstow.

Today (Thurs 24) the new NHS Operating Framework set out the Government's aims and health expectations for 2012/13. Commenting on the report, the Liberal Democrat health minister told a conference of delegates that the framework transformed the mental health priorities of the Coalition into commitments.

Paul Burstow has focused a spotlight on social care's 'nasty little secret'.

In a speech given at Westminster Hall last week, Paul outlined the challenge of social care reform and acknowledged that cross-party talks on the future of social care funding were needed.

The Minister of State for Care Services argued that key to making progress in the area of social care reform was to recognise the catastrophic costs that people face when they required care support. Paul Burstow also noted that social care law had been overlooked in the past and that consensus was needed to secure lasting legal reform.

To be told that you or a loved one has cancer is likely to be one of the most gut-wrenching moments of anyone's life. To be further informed that the chances of survival are low is devastating. But if more people knew they could live a fuller life for longer, we could ease the impact of that devastating time.