Alcohol: Children’s Health

Debate between Lord McColl of Dulwich and Lord O'Shaughnessy

Monday 3rd April 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord O’Shaughnessy]

Action is being taken. There are clear rules and mandatory guidelines around the promotion of alcohol. It is important to point out that alcohol is different from smoking, where there are extremely strict rules on promotion. Most people enjoy alcohol in moderation as part of their healthy, pleasurable, normal social life, so there is a difference. However, there are clear and strict rules around promoting, advertising or selling to children.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that whereas the commonest cause of cirrhosis of the liver used to be alcohol, it is now the obesity epidemic, which could be cured by eating less?

[Lord O’Shaughnessy]

My noble friend is right. Of all the things we should do in our lives, we should eat less and drink less—as I am sure every Member of this House does.

National Health Service: Nurses

Debate between Lord McColl of Dulwich and Lord O'Shaughnessy

Wednesday 22nd February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

In answer to the noble Lord’s first question, I think the figure is 22,227 EU nationals, so I hope that satisfies him on that point. Of course, they do a fantastic job, as do all NHS and care staff, and they deserve the highest praise. The noble Lord will also know that we are keen to reassure them of their status as part of the EU negotiations, but, of necessity, that has to be a reciprocal arrangement.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

Will the Minister support my attempt to find out what makes so many young nurses leave the profession?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

I thank my noble friend for that question. We should be looking at attrition rates in training and in the profession itself, and I would certainly be happy to work with him on that. I know he is particularly anxious about the turnover of nurses within certain training settings.

Hospital Beds: Availability

Debate between Lord McColl of Dulwich and Lord O'Shaughnessy

Thursday 9th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

A number of investigations and reviews into the future of health and social care are taking place. I quite agree with the noble Lord that a royal commission is not necessary. What we all need to do in government and through the arm’s-length bodies involved in healthcare is to make sure that we are providing the 2.7 million staff, who are doing a brilliant job every day in supporting our health and care services, with the money and assistance they need to continue to deliver world-class healthcare.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is not so much a question of old people getting older, because old people have always got older; rather, the difference in the last 30 years is the grotesque increase in the number of young people getting fatter and fatter?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

There are some long-term public health challenges, involving not just obesity but alcohol. But there is also good news: fewer people are smoking. I think that sometimes, young people—I do not know if I count any more—