MP Newsletter #31: FirstPort, Melksham Hospital, Global Instability

Dear reader,

A warm welcome to my latest update.

While much of my work continues to focus on issues here in our community, I know many people’s thoughts are also on events far beyond our borders.

Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza, and the increasingly fragile situation in the Middle East, particularly with the tensions being stirred by Donald Trump, are deeply worrying.

These are uncertain times globally, and I know many residents are concerned about what comes next.

Here at home, I remain focused on standing up for you locally, while continuing to press the Government on both domestic and international issues.

📌 In this edition:
• 🏢 FirstPort property management - holding them to account
• 🌍 Speaking out on global instability and UK responsibility
• 🏥 Melksham Hospital - services returning and improvements underway
• 🏛️ Keeping up with my work in Parliament

🏢 FirstPort Property Management - Holding Them to Account

Over recent weeks, I’ve been working intensively on behalf of residents across the constituency who are affected by FirstPort property management. This has come directly from ongoing engagement with residents who have raised serious and persistent concerns.

I recently met with FirstPort’s regional leadership and carried out a site visit at an estate in Bradford on Avon, while also raising issues affecting residents across the wider constituency. 

The problems are not isolated, they reflect a much broader pattern affecting communities across the country, and I have been speaking with other MPs who are seeing exactly the same issues.

Residents have told me about poor communication, delays to essential repairs, confusing and sometimes incorrect service charges, and a lack of accountability. That simply isn’t good enough.

I have set out clear expectations to FirstPort for urgent improvements, and I will be monitoring their progress closely. Where commitments have been made, I expect them to be delivered and I will continue to push until residents see real change.

🏥 Melksham Hospital — Securing the Return of Audiology Services

I’m really pleased to share a significant step forward for Melksham Hospital, following sustained work I’ve been leading with local health commissioners and the Department of Health and Social Care.

In the coming months, NHS audiology services will return to Melksham Hospital, with weekly clinics providing both diagnostic hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. Patients referred by their GP will be able to request appointments locally, reducing the need to travel to larger hospitals such as the RUH in Bath or Great Western in Swindon.

This is something I’ve been pushing for since I was elected, driven directly by what residents have been telling me. I’ve heard from many people who have faced long waits, difficult journeys, and real frustration trying to access what should be straightforward care.

Bringing these services back to Melksham is a genuine step forward and will make a meaningful difference to people’s day-to-day lives.

That said, there is still more to do. Demand for audiology services remains high, and the current system including the need for GP referrals, can still create barriers. I’ve made it clear that this must not be the end of the story.

The Integrated Care Board has confirmed it will carry out a wider review of ear, nose and throat (ENT) services this year, including the potential for a new community audiology model. This could allow patients to self-refer for hearing tests and help bring waiting times down significantly.

Alongside this, I know many residents have concerns about the condition of parts of the hospital. Planned improvement works are expected to upgrade facilities and support the expansion of services, and I will be working closely with the ICB to ensure Melksham secures its fair share of future investment.

Melksham Hospital plays a vital role in our community and I will keep pushing to make sure it delivers the services local people need and deserve.

🌍 Global Instability - Why It Matters Here at Home

Alongside local casework, I’ve continued to speak out in Parliament on international issues because what happens globally matters here at home too.

Recently I was able to press the Prime Minister on the situation in Lebanon and the ongoing crisis unfolding there. I am pleased that a ceasefire was able to be declared this week but we know that this situation has a long way to go before we can see real light at the end of the tunnel.

This week I was also able to question Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness, in the commons about whether the government would look at the Liberal Democrat idea to issue Defence Bonds to help fund defence. In answer to my question, I received a request from the minister for more information on what we as a party are suggesting for Defence Bonds and along with my parliamentary colleagues, we are putting this together.

More generally, I’ve been clear that the UK must play a responsible role - pushing for de-escalation, upholding international law, and ensuring accountability where it is needed. Stability abroad is not separate from life here at home; it affects our security, our economy, and the kind of world we pass on to the next generation.

🏛️ Keeping Up With My Work in Parliament

If you’d like to follow my work in Parliament more closely, you can view my full parliamentary profile here:
👉 Contact information for Brian Mathew - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament

There you’ll find my recent contributions in debates, written and oral questions, and how I’ve been holding the Government to account.

You can also see how I’ve voted. Most recently, I voted against the Government’s position to continue further consultation on banning social media for under 16s.

In my view, we do not need more delay. We already know the harmful impact algorithms are having on young people. The evidence is clear - now is the time for action, not more consultation.

📺 I’ll also be appearing on BBC Politics West this Sunday morning, available on BBC and BBC iPlayer, where I’ll be discussing local issues affecting our community. Please do tune in.

📬 Staying in Touch

As always, if there’s something I can help with,  whether it’s a local issue, booking a surgery appointment, or raising a concern - please do get in touch.

📧 brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk

I’d also really welcome your feedback on this newsletter. If there’s something you’d like to see more of, less of, or covered in future editions, please email with “Newsletter Feedback” in the subject line.