This week, Sal Brinton and others argued in the House of Lords that action was needed to ensure that Brexit didn’t open the door to privatisation of the NHS. She wrote about the issue for The House magazine: If you asked most people what effect Brexit would have on our health service, regardless of how […]
The dire state of mental health services
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recent report on mental health provision is damning. Titled Maintaining momentum: driving improvements in mental health care, Rob Behrens’ analysis confirms what we already know: mental health services are in crisis and people are suffering and dying because of it. The case studies are harrowing. Mr Behrens’ says: The […]
Bercow, Ten Years On – the #SLCN campaign
I CAN, the children’s communication charity, and The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have launched Bercow: Ten Years On. This report delves into the support, or lack of support, children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) receive in England. Over 2,500 people were consulted about speech and language therapy provision for children and […]
Mental Health is not a finished campaign – we need you more than ever.
I was excited to be speaking with many of our dedicated members, and many energised new members at the fantastic conference in Southport this past weekend. To my joy, I found that mental health is still very much a key focus for our Party. In Coalition, thanks to Norman Lamb, Paul Burstow before him, and […]
Growth in infant mortality highlights desperate pressures on the NHS
The annual statistics on stillbirths, infant deaths and childhood deaths in England and Wales were published yesterday by the government. The report also includes data on the causes of death and information on key risk factors. This report evidences the first two-year increase in infant mortality rates in England and Wales for the last 30 years. […]
Does Vince look fat in this?
Not a question I’ve heard, but I got your attention! The way we view men and women is still fundamentally flawed. I imagine our Lib Dem male MPs have several suits they use in cycle, only having to choose a shirt and tie. But our women MPs? It’s a different matter, though it shouldn’t be. […]
#TreatMeWell campaign launched today
Mencap has launched its Treat Me Well Campaign today, calling for those with Learning Disabilities to be given reasonable adjustments in hospitals. The facts are shocking. Every year, 1200 people with a learning disability die avoidably in hospital care. I blogged this morning on the disgraceful state of PIP and ESA assessments, many suffered by […]
Clever question from Vince shows Brexit threat to NHS
Theresa May’s non-answer to Vince Cable’s question at PMQs today about whether a future trade deal with the US will safeguard the NHS could end up as being one of the turning points of the Brexit debate. One of the huge advantages of the EU is that you have a lot more clout if you […]
We might not be discussing mental health detention at our Conference, but we are trying to change things
The wonderful Ms Rigg wrote a very detailed piece on how the motions were selected for Spring Conference this week. As a member of the Party’s Federal Conference Committee, she knows all there is to know about such things and it’s great that she shares so much with us. In her post, she lamented that […]
#timetotalk – Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Today is Time To Talk Day – a day to talk about mental health with friends, family and colleagues. Time to Change organises #timetotalk on the first Thursday in February each year. Lib Dem Voice would love to have your stories and thoughts on mental health – please send them in and we will post […]