Last week's tragic news that over 100,000 people in our country have now died due to coronavirus was a dreadful milestone for everyone. As the UK's death rate remains one of the world's highest, and continues to rise so sharply, it is both a moment for reflection and a reminder of the need to stick to the restrictions.

There is some good news despite all this – with the success of the vaccination roll out. And inspiration from many sources, whether it's the amazing dedication of our NHS and care workers, the brilliance of the scientists or the celebration of the life and example of Captain Sir Tom Moore who sadly died this week.

Having met on Zoom the Bereaved Families Group, and listened to them, I am more convinced than ever that we need an independent public inquiry, and that it should have started last summer, when I first asked Boris Johnson for it, and he promised to set one up. The Government has not always learned the lessons from its mistakes, and it's vital they do.

To help save lives, there are three other important points to share with you in this week's update:

1. Please continue to follow the Government's advice and stay at home.

1. Please get vaccinated when invited to do so by the NHS.

1. Please continue to get tested for coronavirus if you develop symptoms, or more frequently if you are a frontline essential worker.

Despite the pressures on our NHS in Kingston, many in the Borough are continuing to work tirelessly to protect residents from coronavirus. Thank you to you all.

We now also have four vaccination centres throughout the Borough, a number of asymptomatic testing centres (on top of the NHS testing centres) and Kingston Council have one of the best results for Test & Trace in London!

I've also included some useful information and contact details towards the end of this email, so please forward it on to friends, family or neighbours. If they don't have access to email, please feel free to print them a copy and post it to them so they can also keep up-to-date and stay safe during this time.

An update from Kingston Hospital on coronavirus

I recently caught up with Kingston Hospital to hear how they're coping with the pandemic, and you may have seen a recent Sky News report.

Patients are 'much sicker and younger' than they usually see and the Intensive Care Units are at double their normal capacity.

It's a harrowing reminder that we need to continue to stay home to protect our NHS and save lives.

I know many are finding this lockdown the toughest yet, but please do continue to follow the Government's advice.

An update about Kingston's Vaccination campaign

However, it gives me cause for hope to see that Kingston's four vaccination centres have been seeing large numbers attend for their vaccine.

I re-visited a vaccination centre that is currently vaccinating over 1,000 local people each week which is fantastic to see.

The limit on being able to vaccinate even more people in Kingston is not the space and capacity, but the amount of doses available for teams. One centre is ready and able to start vaccinating up to 10,000 people each week, if and when doses become available.

As per my previous update, it's important that the NHS in Kingston will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

Please don't contact the NHS beforehand, as this will slow down the process for everyone. You can find out who is currently being invited for vaccination by clicking here.

The NHS will also not charge you for the coronavirus vaccination. If someone asks you to pay for a vaccination it is a scam.

I also would like to continue encouraging anyone who is interested in helping the NHS's vaccination programme to sign up to volunteer. Please click here to find out more.

We need to learn the mistakes of this pandemic now if we are to prevent more deaths.

With the sad news that in the UK, over 100,000 people have lost their lives to this awful disease, I continue to call for the Government to set up a full, independent and public inquiry in to their handling of the pandemic.

Back in June last year, I secured a commitment from Boris Johnson to hold a public inquiry, but since then he has continued to refuse to set out a timetable.

I believe the best time to learn from this tragedy, and more importantly prevent even more deaths, is now!

You can read my full response to Johnson running scared of an inquiry, and add your name to call for one, by clicking HERE

Getting our teachers and school staff protection against coronavirus

I have continued to meet regularly with local schools to understand the pressures they're facing and help raise up their concerns with the Government. One of the best ways to make our schools safer when they reopen is to prioritise teachers and school staff in the vaccination programme.

Recently, I met with the Education Minister to call on his support for prioritising teachers and school staff in the vaccination programme, starting with staff in special schools which remain open to all their pupils, and where children and young people can require more personal care.

I'm pleased to report that the Government has listened to my call and changed vaccination policy to prioritise school staff in special schools.

When all our schools are able to re-open fully, for all their children, it's important that they can stay open – so giving all teachers and staff the vaccine as soon as possible will be essential.

Keep getting tested for coronavirus

If you develop symptoms, you should attend an NHS testing centre by booking an appointment (using the details below).

The local drive-through testing centre is now at Twickenham Stadium, but there are walk-through testing centres at Milner Road, Kingston and Cocks Crescent, New Malden.

There is also a Mobile Testing Unit that will also be at the Cattle Market carpark on select days.

For all of the above, you must book a test: call 119 or visit: gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

The Borough also has four asymptomatic testing centres for those without symptoms who cannot work from home during this time.

These centres are The Kingston Academy, Richard Challoner School, Kingston University (Penryhn Road Campus) and Chessington Sports Centre at Chessington School.

Again, you much book a test in advance through Kingston Council's website by clicking HERE

Getting my help

My regular advise surgeries are continuing, so please get in touch if you'd like an appointment: email me at [email protected]; or visit my website for more information.

Please provide your name, full postal address, contact phone number and a brief outline of the issue you would like to raise with me. I am currently receiving hundreds of enquiries each week, and my team and I need to ensure that we treat priority cases first.