Liz at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham

Earlier this week I had the privilege of visiting Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and learning about the work the hospital is doing to improve care for older people.

Geriatricians play a crucial role in leading these improvements, working alongside other staff like specialist mental health nurses and occupational therapists. This team work is making a real difference to older patients and their families.

I was particularly impressed by Ward B47, which focuses on the specific needs of older people with dementia, offering mental and physical activities tailored to patient’s individual needs. The hospital also has a real focus on ensuring older people get the right package of care and support back in the community, so they can safely go home as soon as possible. This is an approach other hospitals could learn from.

On 25th January 2012, I spoke to the North West Carer Leads Network conference, on the need to reform services and support for older and disabled people.

I said that the care system must start with the needs of families and communities, and do more to support the 6.4 million unpaid carers who do vital work looking after their family, friends and neighbours.

You might be interested in reading my speech, which you can find it under the link below.

Liz Kendall MP’s speech to North West Carer Leads Network Conference 25th Jan 2012

I recently appeared on the BBC’s Sunday Politics show with Tory MP, Margot James. We debated the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill.  You can see the programme by clicking here.

David Cameron is forcing through the biggest re-organisation in the history of the NHS. As I’ve previously written this reckless and risky reorganisation is unnecessary, unwanted and damaging.

Thousands of patients and NHS staff have already called on the Government to drop its Health Bill, but David Cameron is ploughing on regardless, ignoring public and professional opinion. After trying to work with Ministers to positively change the Government’s plans, the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of Midwives have now joined the British Medical association in demanding the Government drops its reckless Bill.

We need everyone who thinks the Government is putting our precious NHS at risk to join our ‘Drop the Bill’ campaign.  That’s why on Thursday, 19 January, I was joined by my shadow health team colleagues, including Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP, at a rally in the Brite Centre in Braunstone. A the meeting we heard from patients who depend on the NHS, including a man who receives kidney dialysis on a regular basis and a mother of a disabled child for whom the NHS is a lifeline.

It’s for these people and thousands more like them that Labour is calling on the Government to drop their Health and Social Care Bill. I’d urge you to consider doing the same by signing our petition, which can be found here.