The Langley with the Lamp

Twelve thirty (or a little after - it took me a bit longer than I'd planned to get home after my first engagement of the day) sees me at the Florence Nightingale Health Centre at Church Langley, for the official opening of the health centre extension.

We stand in the baking heat outside, while we're addressed by speakers including Harlow Health Centres Trust chairman Martin Lawn, and a representative from the hospital's Child Development Centre, which is also located here. A plaque is unveiled inside the building, and then we all troop in for a buffet, fruit juice (with ice - luxury!) and a chance for a chat.

I spend a little time talking to a group of health visitors, who tell me that they're about to be reorganised into teams onto a more geographic basis, which should help improve the service to the clients on their caseloads. I also chat to some of the trustees of the Health Centres Trust, and its business manager. We discuss the idea of setting up a meeting for all councillors with the Trust, which would be really useful. The Trust owns seven of the health centres in Harlow, and therefore it's a key organisation in the health sector in the town.

There's also a scale model on display, of a sculpture by a local artist which will be placed outside the health centre at Church Langley. The artist is on hand, to explain the elements of the sculpture, which reflects some of the architecture and built environment of the town, from Bishopsfield's podium to the old town hall and the new build to the east of the town.