As someone who has had close friends and family members with eating disorders, I know just how damaging and dangerous they can be. I was proud to join my friend Hope Virgo at the Dump The Scales march to Parliament Square on Saturday with hundreds of campaigners and activists.
The Government’s attitude towards eating disorders must fundamentally change. They must listen to campaigners and experts, like Hope, to ensure everyone with an eating disorder gets the care they need. It was brilliant to speak at the Watercooler event in the ExCeL London today, for a discussion on mental health in Government and the NHS.
Rather than railing against a "sick note" culture as Rishi Sunak has done recently, we must be encouraging more openness and understanding around mental health.
As part of my previous work as Shadow Minister for Mental Health and in my capacity as an A&E doctor at St George's, I know firsthand the toll that working on the NHS frontline can take.
Today, I asked the Government whether they will continue to fund mental health support services past the 12 months they've committed to. Shamefully, the Minister refused to commit to funding. This is just further proof that this Tory Government couldn't care less about our NHS heroes.
Yesterday, I was delighted to join CEN for their Healing our Broken Village Black Mental Health Conference at the New Testament Assembly church in Tooting.
With continued racial disparities in sectioning and the use of community treatment orders, more must be done to bring about much-needed change.
The Tories' Rwanda Bill is one of the most shameful pieces of legislation in recent memory on both moral and practical grounds, which is why I voted 20 times against the Bill last night.
As part of my former role as Shadow Minister for Mental Health, I worked very closely with Melanie Leahy and other campaigners affected by the terrible deaths in Essex mental health hospitals.
The Terms of Reference for the inquiry into this scandal have now at long last been published. This inquiry has been beset by delays since the beginning, which is simply not good enough.
One of the most fulfilling parts of my role as your MP is helping local people solve problems and, in this case, save money.
A Furzedown pensioner had been denied over £12,000 in backdated pension payments and Pension Credit, however following my intervention with the Department for Work and Pensions, this money was recouped. If you have a problem with your state benefits or pension, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me and I'd be happy to help. I wish everyone in Tooting and beyond a peaceful and blessed Eid. My thoughts and prayers are especially with all those facing hardship and suffering at this time.
Making Wandsworth a greener and cleaner borough was a key policy in our campaign in the 2022 local elections, which is why I'm delighted that the new Labour administration in the Town Hall have now rolled out food waste recycling bins across the local area.
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