Chaired by Russ Taylor of Chatham & Aylesford, Thursday's discussion group turned its attention to health reform.
In a wide-ranging debate, beginning with dentistry and ending with the role of charities and voluntary organizations in health delivery, the very real potential of the Government's health reforms was quickly identified.
With new GP-led Clinical Commission Groups working closely with local government to commission local healthcare services - and new powers for local councils to oversee delivery through Health & Wellbeing Boards - there was agreed to be potential for much greater local control of services to reflect the needs of local residents. The integration of health and social care was also seen to be vital in delivering better health services and better value for money.
The conclusions of the discussion will now be written up and fed into the development of new Conservative thinking.
Further discussions are now being scheduled on a Bill of Rights, Localism and the lasting political legacy of Margaret Thatcher, with guest speakers at different locations around the constituency.
For further information on the Tonbridge, Edenbridge & Malling Discussion Group, please call: 07824 784121.