If you had still had any illusions that our NHS would survive Brexit, these will have been dispelled by the statement of Trump’s ambassador that, “The US will want business access to the NHS in any trade deal”. Indeed, some have speculated that access to the NHS, along with the rest of the economy, is […]
Op-eds
What would we do without the NHS?
Our family has used the NHS more this year than ever before – all five of us have seen consultants for a range of ailments. Yesterday my husband saw the Haematology team to be told his cancer was in remission. We left the hospital grateful for the good prognosis, and thankful that we lived in […]
Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 #EmpowerHalfHour
The Where’s Your Head At? campaign launched a Workplace Manifesto on Monday. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019, this campaign is raising awareness of how employers and businesses can better support their employees’ mental health and well-being. It is a straightforward manifesto which the campaign is calling all employers to sign. The principals, […]
When it comes to mental health, all’s fair in love and leafleting
We all feel it. Brexit is a battleground. It’s muddy trenches that stink to high heaven whichever side of it you’re on, and like sticky quicksand it’s near impossible to escape. What’s more, the confrontational atmosphere is contributing to a mental health crisis in our political system, one that needs addressing fast. For someone used […]
Judith Jolly writes: Lib Dem Brexit health win in the Lords
In the midst of all the Brexit chaos, I want to take a moment to reflect on a significant and unreported win for the Liberal Democrats against the Conservative Government. A few months ago, a Bill was introduced into Parliament which seemed fairly uncontroversial – it’s aim was to replicate our reciprocal healthcare arrangements with […]
Brexit: bad for doctors, worse for patients, but there is hope
The medical profession has always been staunchly opposed to Brexit. Even before the 2016 referendum the British Medical Journal predicted dire consequences, and whilst the pro-European tone was slightly subdued in the immediate aftermath, criticism has become more vehement as the process dragged on. Last week the BMJ reported on a meeting of 150 doctors […]
Claire Tyler writes: Children need better access to mental health care
Mental health care in this country needs radical transformation. Both adult and children’s mental health services continue to be plagued by long waiting times, lack of access to treatment and chronic staff shortages. For children, the average wait between their first symptoms developing and being able to access treatment is estimated to be a horrifying […]
Using colourful Pom-poms to remember Holly #TimetoTalk
Having five brothers and one sister means that I am lucky to have lots of glorious nieces and nephews, and, nowadays, great nieces and great nephews. I am a bit like “Great Uncle Bulgaria” in the Wombles. But last July, we lost one of my nieces, Holly (pictured, right). Never mind me being her uncle, […]
Today is Young Carers Awareness Day
How many of you know a young carer? Today we are celebrating the contributions many of our young people make as carers. It is Young Carers Awareness Day. Caring can take many forms – a sibling caring for another sibling with a learning disability, a child looking after a parent, a young person helping aid […]
Being a PPC: what’s your motivation?
Caron asked me to write a series a little while ago about being a PPC – and my response at the time was that a day-in-the-life blog might put people off ever applying to be a PPC! Being a PPC is hard work – we are volunteers and unpaid, but expected to do a huge […]