Political opinion with Mary Glindon MP. Improving health and care
Health is an issue that is obviously close to our hearts and that has driven so many changes for the better and for the increase in the lifespans of so many people, not least since the formation of the NHS.
The quest for spotting disease before it gets worse, for cures, more humane treatment, and better regulation feature heavily in many events in parliament that are designed to lift understanding.
I am always happy as a public representative to listen to academics, clinicians, and charities and to amplify their expertise to ministers and the public. Some of their proposed changes will save or improve many lives and some are more niche but every life is worth the effort.
In the last week or so, two issues have been highlighted. The first concerns Phenylketonuria (PKU), which is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 people in the UK.
It’s why all newborns are given a “heel prick” test which identifies that the baby cannot process an amino acid found in protein. It means that irreversible brain damage will occur without a severely restricted low-protein diet, often allowing as little as the equivalent of one slice of bread a day.
The charity is pushing for simpler treatments through a particular drug being trialled. All power to their elbow.
The organisation of care is always adjusting to new insights and demands. The Health and Care Professions Council tells me that it regulates nearly 400,000 professionals in 15 different health and care sectors.
These include chiropodists, paramedics, physiotherapists, and radiographers. The Council sets standards and takes action when they are not met.
They are talking to ministers about support to boost such vital work and for us all to benefit from a more efficient regulator to ensure patient safety. They have my support.
There will, I am sure, be many more suggestions for better care that I will let you know about. Decades of careful work has increased the chances of living longer and will always do so for the common good.