Zoe Franklin

Following the problems the Royal Surrey had a few years ago and the passionate campaign by local people to save the hospital, I am really pleased the their bid for Foundation status is nearing completion.

Foundation status will be of real benefit to local people and all those who use the hospital for a number of reason.

1. Any financial surplus at the end of a year the Royal Surrey would be able to reinvest it in the work of the hospital - currently they are limited on how it can be spent by the Department of Health
2. Local people and patients will have more say in how the hospital is run through membership of the Foundation Trust.

I’ve just expressed my interest in joining and trust and would encourage anyone who lives locally or receives regular treatment at the hospital to consider doing so aswell. You can find out more information about the bid at www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/Foundation-Trust or you can go straight to the membership page at www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/Join-us.

I have to confess that I’ve been completely stunned by the snow this week. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much snow and I certainly haven’t seen snow that has stayed around for so long!

As well as being struck by the beauty of the snow I have also been surprised by the real sense of community care and spirit it has produced. On Monday my husband and I rung an elderly friend of ours from church who said to us “Thank you for ringing but I’ve been inundated with offers of help.” She continued to explain that amongst calls from other friends one of her neighbours children had knocked on her door, along with every other resident in her road which is made up predominately of elderly residents, to check that she was OK and whether she needed anything from Tescos.

That person didn’t have to knock on those 30-something doors but they did and they showed those residents that they are not invisible but are instead cared for. Some may accuse us of being an uncaring society but that story shows that there are still people who care and will the extra mile to help people.

As I write I have the BBC News coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration on in the background. No one can deny that today is a historic day. The US has made a huge journey for us to be at the point that we can witness an African-American become the President of America.

Barack Obama is an inspiration. He has overcome huge obstacles, he is brilliant speaker, he has fantastic political vision and most of all he is real - he makes it clear that he and the American people face a difficult job bringing change to their country and to their interaction with the world. For that I respect him deeply, particularly because he is not afraid to say this despite knowing the weight of hope that rests on his shoulders.