It was great to meet with members of the Mental Health Policy Group, alongside our Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Rosena Allin-Khan. We had the opportunity to hear about the work they have been delivering on mental health and wellbeing, and the vision they have put together for […]
Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises offer crucial support to many parts of our society every day, and in the coming months will be vital in tackling the spread and impact of coronavirus. Many can help alleviate the pressure on our NHS and social care service and provide support to […]
I was recently a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour. On the show I discussed coronavirus, including the need for clarity on what we should all be doing to prevent the spread, and what other measures are required to keep people in work and keep wages in their pockets, […]
This week the Government announced several measures to support businesses and households through the coronavirus outbreak. These measures are welcome, but the truth is that other countries are already providing far more support to workers, the self employed and people who’ve lost their jobs. Of course the Government […]
In his first speech as UK prime minister last summer, Boris Johnson promised to fix the crisis in social care. Yet last week’s Budget gave more focus and funding to potholes than social care. This is a serious mistake, especially with the immediate and overriding challenge facing the government: […]
I’m pleased that the Chancellor announced support for businesses affected by Coronavirus and that the NHS will get whatever extra resources it needs. But there was nothing in the budget for social care. This is a serious mistake because the NHS relies on social care to get older people […]
One of my constituents, Dave Towers, has had a horrible time trying to navigate the NHS system to find the correct care for his parents. His story is truly heart breaking and I am appalled at what they have all been through. It is completely unacceptable that in the […]
Last week whilst visiting the Connect Me Café I met with representatives from Life Links and the Leicester City Care Navigator Service. Life Links are a local charity who provide Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Support. They also provide a wide range of services including residential support, supported housing, employment […]
Last week, I met with cancer patients, NHS staff and researchers at an event in Parliament to mark World Cancer Day. This is a day designed to raise awareness of cancer and to promote its prevention, detection and treatment. Every year, around 1,200 new cancer cases are diagnosed in […]
It is appalling that there are now 43,000 nursing vacancies in England. In Leicester, the nurse vacancy rate has increased from 10.8% in July 2017 to 13.6% in July 2019, which is higher than the national average. The Royal College of Nursing says applications for nursing courses have plummeted by […]
On Friday 18th October I spoke at the National Association for Hospital Education (NAHE) annual conference in Leicester. Around 360,000 children and young people a year are persistently absent from school because of a physical or mental illness. This can have a real impact on their education and later life […]
It’s almost 2 years since we won our campaign to save the children’s heart surgery unit at Glenfield Hospital. I visited the service again today to talk to NHS staff and patients, and to hear about the improvements that are being made. I am particularly proud that the unit has […]
