In a world facing increasing geopolitical instability, the partnership between the United Kingdom and Poland has never been more vital. It was a great honour to be re-elected today as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland. Poland has shown extraordinary leadership on the front line of European security, providing unwavering support to its Ukrainian neighbours and welcoming millions of refugees with incredible generosity.

I am proud to continue my work with colleagues across Parliament to deepen the bonds of friendship, security, and cooperation between our two great nations at this crucial time for our continent.

The sight of vulnerable patients on trolleys lining a busy hospital corridor is something I witness regularly during my A&E shifts. This practice is fundamentally unsafe and strips people of their dignity when they are at their most vulnerable.

​Every patient deserves to be treated in a proper bed, not left waiting in a hallway. I am pleased the Government has now committed to ending corridor care. As Chair of the APPG on Emergency Care, I look forward to working with them to make this a reality and ensure everyone gets the compassionate care they deserve.

The sight of vulnerable patients on trolleys lining a busy corridor is something colleagues across the country and I see regularly on A&E shifts. Every healthcare worker wants the best for those in their care, yet this practice is unsafe and strips patients of their dignity. This is the unacceptable consequence of an NHS pushed to the brink by years of underfunding.

​Today, I pushed the Health Secretary to work with the APPG on Emergency Care to finally end corridor care. Patients deserve so much better.

Today, on White Ribbon Day, I stood in solidarity with all those women and girls who have experienced vile violence and abuse.

Violence against women and girls does not occur in a vacuum; it is born out of misogyny that goes unaddressed on our streets, in workplaces, and in schools. We must all work to end this issue once and for all.

​
​​The smears Hillsborough victims’ families faced were unacceptable and must not happen again. It is right that the Government is taking action to ensure a similar situation cannot be repeated.

The new Hillsborough Law will mean:

• New Duty of Candour - public officials must act with honesty and integrity at all times
• The largest expansion of legal aid in a decade for bereaved families
• A new offence for misleading the public – with criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches

Today, I voted against the Government’s Bill on welfare reforms. ​

I believe there is scope to reform the current welfare system and I am supportive of various aspects of the Government's proposals, such as allowing people to try working without losing out. I also welcome the concessions made by the Government and will follow the legislation carefully at the next reading.

While much of what the Government has announced in recent days - and indeed today - is welcome, the Bill as it is remains the same and has not been amended yet. I want to see an amended Bill before deciding whether it is possible to support it. The next vote is next week and I will follow it closely.

This summer, I am offering young people in the local area a chance to shadow my team and I for a week in Parliament and my local office!

If you, or anyone you know, live in the local area and are aged between 18 and 25 with an interest in politics, please fill out an application form here.

Today, the Assisted Dying Bill will be returning to Parliament for its final vote in the Commons. Since this Bill was proposed, I have heard from hundreds of local people, carefully examined the provisions of the legislation, listened to the views of experts, and reflected on my own professional experience as a doctor.

Let me start by saying that as someone who has lost someone in a very painful way, due to a terminal illness, I do truly understand why it is so important we debate this issue, with compassion and understanding. Each and every one of us will lose someone special to us at some point and every experience is unique. That is why there are, of course, deeply felt spiritual, philosophical and moral views and opinions held by individuals on both sides of this debate. I would like to thank all those who have expressed their opinions to me in a thoughtful and respectful manner, regardless of the positions they have taken. 

At the last vote in November last year, after much thought, reflection and engagement with the community I represent, I decided to vote against the Bill. Despite my reservations, I had hoped that efforts would be made to improve safeguards against coercion and abuse in the Bill during Committee stage. Regrettably, since then, important safeguards have been watered down or entirely dropped from the Bill. Efforts to add further safeguards through amendments to the Bill have also been voted down. I also share the concerns that have been raised by the Royal Colleges of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians.

High-quality and properly funded palliative care must always be protected and enhanced. With years of underfunding and an incredible workforce overstretched, I fear assisted dying may be considered by some to be an alternative to a well-supported palliative care option. Regardless of the outcome of today’s vote, I will continue to advocate for improvements to palliative care, which can empower many individuals at the end of their lives, to enjoy their last moments with loved ones with comfort and peace of mind.

As I said before the previous vote, it is clear that colleagues across Parliament have decided their vote with compassion, sensitivity and empathy, no matter which side they are on. It is right that this Bill is being considered under a free vote, where every MP can vote with their conscience. I am glad that Parliament has had the opportunity to have an important and constructive debate. In my role as an MP, I do feel that while many would benefit from a change in legislation, I also need to represent those who are vulnerable to coercion and abuse in what I see to be legislation that is lacking in the appropriate safeguards. 

For these reasons, I will be voting against the Bill today. Regardless of your view, I know this is a sensitive and often painful subject for us all. Again, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts and views on this.