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This week, I was in Geneva speaking to the H20 summit alongside Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. I presented a report that I co-authored on noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions, fielding the questions of health experts and legislators from across the globe.  It was a delight to join the Loose Women panel alongside the formidable Janet Street-Porter, Charlene White, Olivia Attwood and my friend Denise Welch for their Women’s Health Special today. We addressed some really key topics, including the importance of the HPV vaccine and smear testing, dementia and cancer. It is always a pleasure to join the show - many thanks for having me!  Following the decision to relocate children's cancer services in South East England away from St George's Hospital, I met with the Health Secretary with a cross-party group of MPs to raise our concerns. When I visited the Pinckney Ward where this care is conducted, I met with Jackson, a former patient there, and his parents, who told me that such a move would be detrimental for parents, children and the hospital alike. I have urged the Secretary to review and reconsider NHS England's decision as soon as possible.  The beginning of Mental Health Awareness week was marked by grim tidings that, for the first time in recorded history, the number of people on an waiting list for mental health treatment has hit 2 million. This is more than the combined population of four major British cities and is a shocking indictment of the Tories' failed record on 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.
It was fantastic to join Dermot and Alison on the This Morning medical segment again; this time to talk about rashes and what to look out for.
Rashes can be difficult to see on darker skin tones and this can lead to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes, which is why it's especially important to be aware of the different symptoms and nuances.
 Today's announcement by NHS England that children's cancer services will be moved away from the world-class unit at St George's Hospital is profoundly disappointing.
As a doctor, I am clear that this decision has not been made in the interests of patients or their families and we're losing more than 25 years of expertise in the field of children's cancer care. I'm calling on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins to immediately review this decision. It was great to speak at the King's Fund Circles Series focusing on women in leadership, where I shared my experience as a women working in healthcare and politics. It's vital that we get more women in leadership roles across society.  This morning, I joined pupils at Garratt Park School in Earslfield to plant the 500,000th tree of Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan's Trees for London scheme. It's vital that we make London a green city for the future, where everyone has access to healthy outdoor space.  Today marks International Stammer Awareness Day. I know from my own experience, the impact the stigma of stammering has on those affected. We must not create a narrative of trying to fix people with speech disfluency. Instead we need to work to create a more inclusive society. |
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