Every year, the Politics Home magazine recognises 100 Women in Westminster who are leading the way in politics and public life. It was an honour to be recognised as one of the hundred women making a difference, and to be selected amongst other women trailblazers. You can read more about this event here.
Many thanks to NHS Confederation for inviting me to speak to their annual Mental Health Conference in Leeds on the urgent need to invest in our mental health services.
It was also important to learn about the innovative approaches taken at Leeds Synergi to tackle ethnic inequalities in mental health.
I was inspired to watch history in the making as the first ever girls side from Erith and Belvedere FC under 15’s team played against Sudbury Town at the Acclaim Handling Community Stadium in Welling.
Big congratulations to all those involved in making this happen and to the girls on the field from both teams.
This April, it was great to speak at the ‘Black in Business’ event in Parliament hosted by Channel 4 and Lloyds Banking Group. And it was great to hear from the amazing Black entrepreneurs and business owners, who spoke about the work that has been championed by this initiative.
It was lovely to join the RGNS’s celebrations this month as they welcomed a New Year 2081. I want to wish all Nepalis in Erith and Thamesmead and across the whole country a very Happy New Year.
This month, I was pleased to speak with health professionals and charities from One Voice to discuss collaboration on key issues including pregnancy, maternity, neonatal care, and early years services.
I was joined by representatives from the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Sands and many other important organisations. I found hearing suggestions on how to improve the accessibility and quality of care for mothers particularly interesting and I look forward to continuing this important conversation.
As Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, I was also pleased to speak at this symposium focused on how Black Men are disproportionately detained under the Mental Health Act.
The law as it stands is not fit for purpose, with Black people four times more likely to be sectioned than White people and eight times more likely to be placed under a Community Treatment Order (CTO).
My speech emphasised the urgent reform needed to the Mental Health Act and how that can be achieved. I would like to thank Policy Connect and Lord Bradley for inviting me to join as the keynote speaking at this vital event.
I was honoured to be invited to deliver a keynote speech at UNISON’s National Women’s Conference, where the pivotal theme centred on women’s health in the workplace.
Throughout the conference, we engaged in profound discussions surrounding the specific needs of women employees, particularly concerning conditions like endometriosis, menopause, and menstruation. It was evident that when these crucial aspects of women’s health are overlooked by employers, it significantly impacts workplace well-being.
One of the significant motions passed during the conference was aimed at enhancing maternity care for Black women, who unfortunately face heightened risks of miscarriage or maternal mortality. This issue underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access to quality care for all women.
During my address, I shed light on the systemic racism that women of colour encounter when seeking healthcare services. Additionally, I emphasised the imperative for employers to recognise and accommodate menopause as a crucial aspect of women’s health in the workplace.
Women’s health demands prioritisation at all levels of governance. Unfortunately, far too often, the needs of women have been side-lined. However, I firmly believe that it’s time for a transformative shift.
In my speech, I articulated Labour’s unwavering commitment to reinvigorating the NHS to make it truly inclusive and responsive to the diverse health needs of women. Our vision entails not only addressing existing inequities but also eradicating systemic racism within healthcare systems and instituting frameworks that prioritise women’s health needs.
Now more than ever, we must rally behind the fundamental principle of a NHS that is universally accessible and free at the point of use, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender or background, receives the care they deserve.
You can read more about the conference and my speech here and read about an interview I did with UNISON here.
Let’s continue our collective efforts to champion women’s health and build a future where every woman can thrive.
It was a pleasure to be on the panel of The Late Debate with ITV News last week and discuss a number of important issues including the safety of public officials, tax incentives for London tourists and the upcoming Mayoral election.
In particular, I raised my concerns about the current climate of abuse against people in public life, with people of colour and women often being more at risk. In my role as Chair of Labour Women’s Network (LWN), I have worked hard to train women to build resilience towards the abuse they are subjected to.
People in public life should not be scared or intimidated while carrying out their responsibilities and I hope to see more progress in changing the current climate.
Last month, I was pleased to visit the Oxleas Goldie Leigh site and officially open the new Woodland Walk. I was very impressed with this new development and excited to hear how it will support the wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors.
It was great to meet with those involved and hear about their vision for the future of Goldie Leigh. I was particularly impressed with the plans for the Health and Wellbeing Centre, which will be an excellent asset to the community.
