Primary Care: Inequality

Baroness Uddin Excerpts

Monday 19th June 2023 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jolly (LD)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I do think it is this side—

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, it is the turn of the Liberal Democrat Benches. I think the noble Baroness, Lady Uddin, is non-affiliated; she can go afterwards.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

I cannot say what the exact difference is, but I can say that they are very similar and overlap. I will write to the noble Baroness on the differences.

[Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, alongside all the good examples that noble Lords have mentioned, I draw the attention of the House to an excellent project developed over 40 years ago operating in the East End of London. It is a community health worker model that works specifically for women and children. It runs excellent services to this day, so the noble Lord might consider inquiring into it as a good model that is in operation. My question is: what progress has been made to address inequalities in leadership positions in the health service, as they impact all the other services that follow?

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

If the noble Baroness is talking about diversity and equality, the NHS has a fine record as an equal opportunities employer. On her invitation to inquire into the organisation she mentioned that is helping girls and women in her community, I am very happy to look into that.