I am campaigning for:

Funds for a new health centre on the St George's Hospital site in Hornchurch to reduce pressure on Queen's Hospital

Following extensive lobbying of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Prime Minister and NHS Executives, I am thrilled that the Government has now provided the £17m capital required to commence construction of this vital health centre. I am continuing to liaise with local health authorities, commissioners and community stakeholders to ensure that this development is provided as swiftly as possible and services are configured in a way that is most conducive to the community's needs. Further information on this health centre and how it will improve our local health community can be found here.

Improved patient care at Queen's Hospital, Romford, as it continues its journey out of special measures 

I engage frequently with the Senior Leadership Team at Queen's Hospital and I am pleased that, in the 2018 Care Quality Commission report, their  rating within the Caring domain improved to 'Good'. I will continue to liaise with executives at the Trust to support them in their efforts to drive further improvements.

Improved access to drugs for constituents with rare conditions

I have been lobbying the Government for treatments for neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects young children, to be made available on the NHS. I had raised with the Prime Minister the case of my young constituent, Isla Caton, who has had to go abroad for treatments. Following this work and that of colleagues, I was pleased when treatments were made available on the NHS last year.

I have also been working with colleagues on a cross-party basis to secure access to vital drugs, such as Orkambi and Symkevi for those with cystic fibrosis. I am glad that our representations to Government and the drug manufacturer have been successful and that these drugs will now be made available free of charge on the NHS.

Better training facilities to ensure North East London has the next generation of doctors and nurses to serve our growing population

I was pleased to support an application for additional medical school places so that a branch campus of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentristy at Queen Mary University of London can be established in outer East London, this will help increase the popularity of the location for practitioners and encourage young people to consider a career in medicine.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England Board has offered 32 undergraduate medical education places to Barts and the London School of Medicine to start in 2019 - 20. 

Better integrated primary and social care for our growing elderly population, working with local charities, support groups, council and NHS

This will be aided significantly by the St. George's Health and Wellbeing Hub and I will continue to support stakeholders to integrate their services so to provide better and more joined-up services.