03May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GP postcode lottery worsens with just one family doctor per 2,200 patients

GP postcode lottery worsens with just one family doctor per 2,200 patients

Parliamentary news
The number of patients per GP across England has grown to over 2,200, shocking new figures have revealed, as some areas suffer from a growing postcode lottery. The analysis by the Liberal Democrats, based on research from the House of Commons Library, has exposed the growing shortage of family doctors that is leaving people in many areas struggling to get appointments. Since June 2017, the number of fully qualified GPs excluding trainees has fallen by 1,343, despite a government promise to hire an extra 6,000 GPs by 2024. Over the same period, the number of registered patients has soared by over 3.1 million, as growing demand puts pressure on overstretched local health services. It means the number of patients per GP has risen from 2,007 in June 2017 to 2,217…
Read More
01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Helen Morgan MP responds to Shropshire maternity scandal report

Helen Morgan MP responds to Shropshire maternity scandal report

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Ockenden Report into the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust maternity scandal, Liberal Democrat North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan commented: “The families involved have suffered unimaginable pain and they have shown enormous bravery in bringing these issues to light. “Women across Shropshire, and the UK as a whole, should have a much safer experience when they welcome their babies into the world. “It’s essential now that the Government listens and learns from this review, and takes ownership for making sure that all of the findings are implemented both locally and nationally. “We owe it to the families involved to ensure that the tragic deaths and harm caused were not in vain.”
Read More
09Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

‘Grave concern’ that home of first test tube baby short of test tubes

Borough news
Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett has written to the newly appointed local NHS supremo Mike Barker to express his grave concerns that shortages in medical supplies will impact on patient health over the autumn, with blood tests and flu shots being rationed. Councillor Hamblett, who serves as Shadow Cabinet Member for Heath & Social Care, wrote to the new Interim Accountable Officer of the Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, Mike Barker, over the recent shortages of test tubes which will prevent some patients receiving their annual blood screening tests at this time. On top of this, Louie was alarmed to hear news that flu vaccinations may also be limited by a shortage of supplies. Commenting, Councillor Hamblett said: “Oldham has been especially hard hit by Covid-19 and sadly many of…
Read More
28Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GP Patient Data: Halt the scheme and inform the public

GP Patient Data: Halt the scheme and inform the public

Parliamentary news
A report from Which? [published 29th July 2021] has shown almost half (45%) of adults in England, around 20 million people, are unaware of plans for GP patient data to be shared by NHS Digital to external organisations. The Lib Dems have called for the scheme to be halted until proper transparency on the data sharing has been shown from the Government. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP said: “Given the Government’s complete lack of interest in publicising this scheme and its disdain for any kind of transparency it is no wonder that so many have never heard of it. That so many are considering opting out will render this scheme almost useless. “Grim experience has taught the British public to be wary of trusting the Government with its…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Covid delays highlight severity of waiting list crisis

Covid delays highlight severity of waiting list crisis

Borough news
Further delays to healthcare access have demonstrated the massive crisis facing our healthcare system, due to underfunding. Waiting times for referrals have increased by in many cases another six months. For children waiting for referrals to an orthodontist, this means that children are waiting up to two and a half years to be referred for specialist treatment.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “For a young child, two and a half years feels like forever. How would you feel as a parent if that was how long you were asked to keep a child waiting for treatment? “The impact of Covid-19 is huge, and will have impacts in many directions. Right now, we are faced with painful choices about schools remaining open, and children’s healthcare is also critical. Waiting times…
Read More
21Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems secure Government commitment to publish test and trace agreement with police

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Peer Paul Scriven has secured a commitment from Health Minister Lord Bethell to publish the agreement between the Government and police chiefs over the decision to share test and trace data.  This follows the Health Secretary's refusal to make the Memorandum of Understanding public when Liberal Democrat Health and Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson asked him to just yesterday. Following the exchange, Liberal Democrat peer Lord Scriven said: “An effective test, trace and isolate system to keep people safe will only work if the public have faith in it and this means the Government must be open and honest about how it uses people’s data. "It is absolutely crucial that the Government publishes its Memorandum of Understanding with police chiefs on sharing of Test and Trace data in full, otherwise they…
Read More
28Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems condemn health inequalities “exposed in technicolour” by Covid crisis

Lib Dems condemn health inequalities “exposed in technicolour” by Covid crisis

Parliamentary news
In her first keynote address as Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson condemned the health inequalities “exposed in technicolour” through the COVID-19 crisis, and call for a Minister for Wellbeing to ensure that Government decisions are “fundamentally in keeping with health and wellbeing.” She said: “The coronavirus has not just laid bare the fundamental problems facing our NHS and care sectors, it has exposed in technicolour the health inequalities facing the UK, and shown us why we need to rethink the way we see healthcare as a whole.  “We have seen the impact of poor and overcrowded housing, insecure employment and our broken welfare system on not just our physical health, but also our mental health and wellbeing.   “We have seen those health inequalities play…
Read More
01Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Bill introduced to give health and care workers right to remain

Bill introduced to give health and care workers right to remain

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will today introduce a Bill calling on the Government to offer indefinite leave to remain to foreign nationals currently working in the health and social care sectors.Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine, who is moving the Ten Minute Rule Bill, has warned it is unacceptable that people who put their lives on the line during Covid-19 should not be welcome to stay. The Liberal Democrats have secured cross-party support from Labour, Conservative, SNP, Green, Plaid, DUP and Alliance MPs. Ahead of the Bill’s reading on Tuesday, Ms Jardine said: “Foreign nationals in the NHS have been on the frontline in protecting us from Covid-19, putting themselves at risk and in many cases paying the ultimate price. “Their skills have been vital to all of us throughout this crisis. The least we can do now…
Read More
17Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Plummeting health visitor numbers demand action, Lib Dems warn

Plummeting health visitor numbers demand action, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for an "emergency recruitment strategy" for frontline workers after revealing a third of health visitors across hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups have been cut since 2015. Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper, who uncovered the figures through a written parliamentary question, warned cutting such vital preventative services is "letting vulnerable children down" and "costing the tax-payer more in the long-run." In response to Daisy Cooper, junior Conservavtive Health Ministers Jo Churchill confirmed responsibility for commissioning of health visiting services transferred to local authorities in October 2015. Across England, health visitors work mainly with children from birth to five years, their families and at-risk or deprived groups such as the homeless, addicts or travellers. As of March this year, there were 6,828 full-time equivalent health visitors working in hospital trusts and…
Read More
18May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems launch calls for more mental health support for health and care staff

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are today calling on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff to ensure “world-class” support for those tackling the virus head on.  Highlighting the “deep scar” coronavirus will leave on health and care staff, the party have put forward a package of mental health measures designed for rapid roll-out across the NHS and care sectors, including:  24/7 access to mental health support for health and social care workers, through a dedicated helplineGuarantees that health and care staff will no longer be penalised for time off due to mental or physical ill health by scrapping the Bradford scoring system and other HR practices that can create a culture of presenteeismIntroduce an ‘occupational health passport’ so workers do not have to relive mental health traumas if or…
Read More