IT has been quite a year and it is sometimes hard to internalise how much things have changed. Just six months ago we worrying about the election and now it is back with a vengeance to the tough business of government.

Our frontline NHS staff work incredibly hard and my job is to make sure they really can deliver the high-quality care they passionately want to. We need to continue building a learning culture where we are honest about mistakes and learn from them – rather than call in the lawyers, as happens too often in healthcare.

There is a long way to go but with the extra money announced by the Chancellor to fund the NHS’s own plan for the future, there is now the prospect of turning a corner for our most precious national institution.

Within South West Surrey and The Farnham area in particular, we have made significant strides on some important local issues. As well as my supermarket surgeries which are now in their 10th anniversary, South West Trains has confirmed an extra 180 car park spaces at the station which is great news.

We are making progress with Surrey County Council on pedestrianisation proposals. The challenge now is to find a scheme that is financially viable and practically possible.

One of the new campaigns I will be addressing in 2016 will be that of loneliness and supporting those in our community who are perhaps on their own and would appreciate a bit of friendly company or support every so often. Only 16 per cent of older people live with their children – a third of the rate in Italy – and as our population ages this is an issue I believe we need to return to as a society.

With this time of year being one of reflection and family, I hope that readers of the Farnham Herald have a very peaceful and happy new year.

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP