 Today is the Spring Statement. We urgently need to tackle violent crime by boosting police numbers. Over 70% of the Met's budget comes from the Government, and so every London Labour MP co-signed my letter to the Chancellor demanding more funding for the Met Police. It is very disappointing that NO Conservative MP wanted to add their signature.
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 It’s very easy to be reminded of why I love Tooting, and today was the perfect example of this.
‘Visit my Mosque Day’ at Balham Mosque was a fantastic community event. It was great to spend time here, sharing knowledge with open hearts and great food. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
 I spoke to The Guardian about the rising numbers of homeless people who are being admitted to hospitals with largely preventable illnesses.
Thousands of homeless people in England are arriving at hospital with Victorian-era illnesses such as tuberculosis, as well as with serious respiratory conditions, liver disease and cancer, with hospital admissions for such conditions surging over the last decade. It has been a tragedy to witness the rise in emergency department attendance and hospital admissions for the homeless. This winter, waiting rooms have been brimming with people desperate for treatment for chest infections. Furthermore, whereas previously drug and alcohol support was more readily available, long referral times and no access to a fixed address has meant many are lost in the system and unable to receive help when they reach crisis point. Read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/20/nhs-england-figures-show-soaring-homeless-patient-numbers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other  I took Joe.co.uk to Balham Boxing Club to speak about the values which drive me forward and the experiences which made me the person I am today.
Growing up in a single parent household wasn't easy, with my mum working three jobs just to put food on the table. She always instilled that sense of possibility in us - something my brother and I carry with us today. Labour reformed the system of bursaries and grants - meaning people from poorer backgrounds, like me, were able to study medicine. I believe opportunity should be based on where you’re going, not where you’re from. See the video here: https://twitter.com/DrRosena/status/1097191743949324288  This afternoon I was proud to be lending my medical skills ringside. Boxing brings communities together, and offers invaluable support and mentorship to many young people - and Balham Boxing Club certainly does that, and more. Supporting incredibly talented young boys and girls achieve their potential today was an absolute pleasure.  Tonight, my colleague, Councillor Fleur Anderson, will be handing in a petition from the residents of Nightingale Square Hostel. Ahead of this I have written to the Council's Director of Housing asking for action to be taken to improve conditions at the Nightingale Square hostel.
For many years, the Council hasn’t listened - the treatment of those living there is absolutely shocking. I’ve visited regularly since being elected and am in constant contact with residents. The conditions, as outlined in the letter, are entirely unacceptable. We also asked the council to convert a small waste area into a playground. The Council refused because ‘the children can walk to other parks across the borough’. Going forward, the Council needs to show compassion and stop rejecting residents’ requests. People living in Nightingale Square Hostel have been ignored for too long. It’s time for action. A constituent has been in touch to raise concerns regarding the quality of care provided at Brightwell Crescent. The care is provided by Hestia, who were awarded the contract around nine months ago.
I am told that since Hestia took over the provision, standards have dropped significantly. I understand residents are not receiving the required levels of support in undertaking basic daily tasks. I have also been informed that rooms are not cleaned to an acceptable standard and overall hygiene in the building is a major concern. I have outlined these concerns to Chief Executive of Hestia, Patrick Ryan, and I expect a prompt investigation. NHS staff were the previous care providers at Brightwell Crescent, and I have not been made aware of any such problems during this time. This raises the question: Why did Wandsworth Council award the contract to Hestia over the NHS? I have raised this query directly with Liz Bruce, Director of Adult Social Services for Wandsworth Council, and I have requested an overview of the tendering process. The decision to award Hestia this contract is indicative of the Conservative Council's commitment to privatisation of our local services.  Today I had the pleasure of visiting Oak Lodge School - a specialist school for pupils who are deaf, or have speech, language and communication needs. The staff at Oak Lodge are remarkable and create such a welcoming and accessible environment for all of their pupils! During my visit, I was given a tour of the school and cheered from the sidelines of a fantastic PE lesson. It was great to watch a spirited and (very) competitive game of football. Some of the pupils were kind enough to teach me some sign language - they were incredibly patient whilst I learned how to sign my name. It was great to have a chat with Headteacher Derek and Assistance Headteacher Holly. We discussed ways in which I could support the school and how the school would continue its work in the local community. A huge thank you to all the staff and pupils at Oak Lodge. I can't wait to visit again!  Tooting Parkrun turned 3 today, and even the chilliest weather couldn't keep us away!
The organisers and volunteers do an amazing job of keeping the event going. It's a great, accesible way of keeping fit, so make sure you head to Tooting Common one weekend and get involved. Parkrun attracts people from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, and you can run at your own pace with hundreds of other enthusiasts. Check out their Twitter page for more: https://twitter.com/Tootingparkrun |