To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, local MP for Hastings and Rye, Sally-Ann Hart MP celebrates the contributions made by all the incredible women across the constituency with special thanks to Joe Chadwick-Bell the Chief Executive of East Sussex NHS Trust which includes the Conquest Hospital at Hastings.
Joe is one of the many women who have played an integral role in the community, helping with the country’s response to Covid-19 by taking up the reigns of managing the local NHS Trust which includes the hospitals in Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne, and motivating her team in the middle of a global health pandemic.
Sally-Ann said, “this International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity to say thank you to all of women across our community who have played an incredibly important part in the response to Covid-19 – we are fortunate in Hastings and Rye, and across East Sussex, to have many women in positions of community leadership who have inspired and motivated us during these difficult times. And I would like to say a special thanks to Joe Chadwick Bell who has shown perseverance, determination, courage and set a motivating and inspiring lead for all those who in our local NHS. Joe came into her role back in September, halfway through this pandemic and before any of us knew that Hastings would, in. matter of months, record the highest infection rates in the country. Joe and her team handled the crisis spectacularly well, and I want to thank them all on behalf of everyone in Hastings and Rye. I do not doubt, that if it wasn’t for Joe’s leadership in those challenging months, things could have been a great deal worse for our area.”
Nationally women have led the way, from Kate Bingham who heads up the vaccine rollout, to Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer – these women, along with other community heroes, have become amazing role models for the next generation of women and girls across the country.
Without the help of Joe and others, from healthcare heroes to community champions, fighting coronavirus would not have been possible. Women across Hastings and Rye have done incredible work in the most challenging of times.
Huge sacrifices have been made, as many women have juggled working from home with childcare and caring for loved ones, and many have faced uncertainty over their jobs and worried about the future for the next generation.
That is why in the response to Covid-19, the Government has put in place a £160 billion package to minimise the economic downturn and to protect, support and create as many jobs as possible. In addition, funding for Domestic Abuse services has been increased, protecting families and many vulnerable women across the country.
The Prime Minister and the Conservative Party remain committed to ensuring that women can succeed in every walk of life, and that women feel empowered to reach their full potential - be that in the workplace, in business or building a life and legacy they are proud of.
“Many women across the country have been dealing with the extra burdens that the pandemic has created. That is why we are committed to supporting them through the most difficult times, and we are determined to build a better and fairer future for women,” said Sally-Ann.