Churches were closed but GP surgeries were open for extended hours over the Easter weekend.

I have been helping where I can to support our medical centres and care homes by delivering some of the PPE they need, particularly 120 litres of Dorset-made hand sanitiser (kindly supplied by the Black Cow distillery in Childhay) between Bridport, Portesham and Beaminster in my van!

Meanwhile, my team has been busy engaging with those who signed up for my ‘West Dorset Scrub Hub’. I am immensely grateful to all of you, in groups around the constituency, who are busy sewing scrubs and accessories to help our doctors, nurses and carers top-up their supplies.

While welcoming the good news that our Prime Minister is now out of hospital and recuperating at home, our thoughts turn to families in our own communities with loved ones still in hospital, especially those who may be in Bridport Community Hospital, and I thank the dedicated NHS doctors, nurses and support staff who are providing exceptional care in challenging circumstances.

I know many of you will be concerned, as I definitely was, with news about the position with Coronavirus and care homes. I would like to reassure you that my team and I have now called every care home in West Dorset, to check they have all that they need and to offer help with support or resources. I have also had a conference call with Dorset councillors where many areas of local concern were discussed and plans put in place.

Finally, I was glad to hear that Bridport’s Community Support Helpline has been able to offer support to more than 300 callers since its launch on 1st April, thanks to an army of wonderful volunteers who have provided vital help to some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

WEST DORSET MP CHRIS LODER