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.

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.

Our ageing society is something to be celebrated, not feared.  All too often we seem to talk about older people as if they are a ‘burden’, forgetting the huge contribution that the over 65s make to our families, communities and society as a whole. Speaking up for our ageing population is also an issue that really matters to people: 137,000 people have already signed the ‘Grey Pride’ petition – that’s more people than supported the recent petition for an ‘in-out’ EU referendum!

Ed Miliband has appointed me as the Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, attending the Shadow Cabinet. I want to see the issues affecting older people move from the sidelines to the centre of policy and national life, where they belong.

I hope that David Cameron follows suit and appoints a Minister for Older People at Cabinet level.

I talked to a number of the residents, who told me the reason they love living there is because they can be independent but with peace of mind. They know that if something goes wrong and they need care and support, it will be there for them24/7. At the same time, they can continue to live an independent and active life, using all the facilities that are on offer if they want to, with their friends and family welcome too.

I think independence with peace of mind sums up what many people want as they get older, and I will be championing these goals as Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People.

Older people can take part in a range of activities at Great Croft, including jewellery making, as well as enjoy the Centre’s lovely garden.  The older people I spoke to told me how much they enjoy spending time there, as it stops them feeling lonely, isolated and stuck at home. We have to do all we can to protect places like Great Croft, and the fantastic services they provide for our older people.

I’ve seen at first hand the vital role carers play in my constituency, but too often they go without the support they need. As your local MP and the Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, I am determined to help change this.

That is why on 2^nd December I actively backed Carers Rights Day. This annual event focuses on promoting carers’ rights to information, advice, support and other services. I visited Age UK’s Centre in Leicester to talk to users and staff, and to learn about the fantastic services on offer. This includes a new, confidential service called Supporting Older Carers which offers emotional and practical support and guidance to carers aged 60 and over who look after a loved one diagnosed with a life limiting illness.

This is an important project, which I think could make a real difference to carers in my constituency. I am also calling on the Government to offer a better deal for carers, including through cross party talks on developing a fair and sustainable system for funding social care in future.