18Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Introduce a Health Data Trust to protect private medical data

Introduce a Health Data Trust to protect private medical data

Parliamentary news
Today, at their Conference, the Liberal Democrats have backed ambitious plans to safeguard private health data. The party is calling for the establishment of a five-point ‘Health Data Charter’, which will set out key tests for whether data sharing is in the interest of the public and the NHS. They also propose a ‘Sovereign Health Data Trust’, which would bring together experts, clinicians and patient representatives to oversee the implementation and observance of the new charter. Commenting on the proposals, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that we understand how companies and organisations are able to access and manage our personal data - particularly health information. “Sadly, this current Government is refusing to be honest with people about how they’re handling…
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08Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

We demand to be treated with decency!

Borough news
Mrs Shona Farnworth asks Pennine Acute Hospital Trust to treat her with the respect and decency she deserves. What should be a usual visit to the gynaecology department for a cervical screening test has proved to be a lengthy and degrading ordeal for Mrs Farnworth. As a wheelchair user with a complex disability, Mrs Farnworth requires use of a hoist for the procedure at Oldham Royal Hospital. However, at multiple appointments, she was met with a hostile environment. Mrs Farnworth said: “My disability gives me plenty of challenges, which I manage to overcome in my own way. However, I am quite shocked by my experience with hospital appointments these past few months. I did not expect to get turned away from a smear appointment because of the lack of disability…
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03Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Another ‘Winter of Discontent’ looms due to Tory failure

Another ‘Winter of Discontent’ looms due to Tory failure

Parliamentary news
Reflecting on the series of crises that are erupting under the Conservative Government, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury Christine Jardine MP said: "The Government has spent months lurching from crisis to crisis, and the consequences will be felt by normal families as we head towards Christmas. "From driver shortages to the lack of food on shelves, to huge backlogs in our NHS and courts, it is clear Boris Johnson is steering us towards another Winter of Discontent. "His Government is wilfully exacerbating the problem by pulling away furlough and taking away the Universal Credit uplift, which will hit the worst off in society hardest." "This all comes amid rising Covid cases as children return to schools. History tells us this dithering, incompetent Government will fail to get a grip…
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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…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
NHS pay rise bottled: ‘Words and clapping are cheap’

NHS pay rise bottled: ‘Words and clapping are cheap’

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government failing to announce a real pay for NHS staff in Parliament today, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health Munira Wilson MP said in the House: "Words and clapping are cheap - where on Earth is the widely-reported and trailed pay deal announcement which was expected today? "Does she [the Minister] really believe that a one per cent pay rise - which is actually a pay cut - is giving NHS doctors and nurses what they need? Speaking later, she added: "After all that build-up, the Government bottled it and have once again turned their backs on those who are getting us through this pandemic."
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15Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Health & Care Bill: Power-grab does nothing for Care

Health & Care Bill: Power-grab does nothing for Care

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Second Reading of the Health and Care bill, which will reorganise the NHS and hand more powers to the Health Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: "The Government are kidding themselves if they think reorganising the NHS is a simple and straightforward task. With well over five million people now waiting for medical treatment, including 16,000 people suffering with cancer, and the pandemic being far from over, now is not the time to embark on a major and disruptive restructuring of the NHS. “This is not only the wrong time for this Bill but it makes barely any mention of reform to social care. Every year thousands of vulnerable people lie stranded in hospitals long after they could have been discharged because there is…
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13Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories kill bid to guarantee NHS heroes the right to live in the UK

Tories kill bid to guarantee NHS heroes the right to live in the UK

Parliamentary news
Lib Dems have vowed to fight for healthcare workers’ rights after a Bill to give them the indefinite leave to remain was effectively axed by the Tory government. Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine tabled the Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21, which was due for its second reading on Friday. But the Government have decided to axe all sitting Fridays until the end of March, meaning dozens of Private Members Bills will effectively be killed off. Ms Jardine’s Bill proposed that all health and social care staff from outside the EU would be granted indefinite leave to remain, giving the peace of mind about their immigration status and granting them rights enjoyed by British citizens. Christine Jardine said: “Like the rest of our wonderful NHS and care staff,…
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07Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Common-sense for public sector staff to be able to access Covid-19 App

Common-sense for public sector staff to be able to access Covid-19 App

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, was disappointed to discover recently that his Oldham Council-issued business smart phone would not permit him to download the new Government recommended Track and Trace Covid-19 App without special permission.  He has now contacted senior officers at the Council to suggest that the App be allowed to be downloaded onto every Council-electronic device used by its employees.  This suggestion is now being rolled out across the board. But Councillor Sykes has now gone one further.  He has written to Dr Carolyn Wilkins OBE, who in addition to being Chief Executive at Oldham Council, is the national officer lead on Track and Trace, to request that all public sector organisations in Oldham also ensure that their employees will also be able to access…
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29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems back proposals for “world class” mental health support for health and care staff

Lib Dems back proposals for “world class” mental health support for health and care staff

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference has backed new plans to provide “world class” mental support for health and care staff, including calls for a 24/7 mental health support hotline for staff. The motion was agreed as the latest figures from the NHS show that anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses accounted for over half a million days’ absence in May 2020. This is an increase of 37% on the same month last year, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats.  The Party has now adopted policies that would see mental health support services strengthened for “under pressure and overstretched” health and care staff, including ancillary workers like porters and cleaners.  Specific measures include:   That a mental health support phone hotline is made available 24/7 for health and care staff.  Scrapping HR practices that encourage presenteeism and can deter staff…
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23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Keeping residents in touch

Borough news
Local Liberal Democrat Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett has written to Oldham’s Clinical Commissioning Group in his capacity as Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care in regards to Royton and Crompton family practice telephone issues. His letter dated 9th of September asks as to what actions are being taken in regards to Royton and Crompton family practice (based in Royton) being unable to answer their phone lines and their dire ability to correspond with patients, local pharmacies and other health professionals. Mike Barker Oldham’s Chief Operating Officer for Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group responded to Councillor Hamblett following on from his initial correspondence, in which he asked what actions are being taken to resolve your constituents’ problems contacting their GP by phone following the recent merger of Royton and…
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