Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 03 Nov 2026 Health Bill
"My Lords, I strongly support the intentions behind these amendments. Two practical issues are leadership and accountability, and the protection of those who speak out.
Tackling antisemitism and racism must be a clear responsibility of NHS leadership. These issues should be included in the performance objectives of every chief executive …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, I support the aims of Amendments 22 and 24 and welcome the intentions of Amendments 67 and 68 in this group.
I want to concentrate on what these proposals would mean in practice for patients and families. The question is whether choice is meaningful, accessible and protected throughout …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, can I go back one step? Many families wait months, if not years, before receiving a diagnosis. Approximately how many children and young people are currently waiting for an autism assessment, and what support is available to them and their families during that period, rather than waiting until …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, the Children’s Commissioner’s report is a timely reminder that we continue often to respond to crisis rather than preventing it. Twenty years ago, during the passage of the Mental Health Act, Parliament strengthened the safeguards around the admission of children into adult psychiatric wards. That should happen only …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, while artificial intelligence may improve the interpretation of diagnostic tests and support earlier identification of prostate cancer, does the Minister agree that technology alone will not reduce late diagnosis unless it is embedded within a wider prevention and early detection strategy? What steps have been taken to ensure …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, Sir Chris Whitty produced a report on coastal health that exposed deep and persistent health inequalities in many of our coastal communities. Coastal communities, about 55 towns, make up nearly 20% of the UK population. Five years later, can the Minister tell the House what has changed as …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, I was somewhat hesitant to speak today, not because I do not wish to contribute but because I am currently caring for a loved one, which makes my time in this Chamber unpredictable and, at the same time, makes this Bill so much more important and personal to …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, I echo what the Minister has just said. The last Labour Administration set up the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and ring-fenced £800 million to provide treatment when drug users needed it. It reduced drug-related crime, drug use plateaued, and drug-related deaths were at an all-time low. …..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech
"My Lords, I congratulate the Minister on all his efforts to ensure participation from local communities in Burnley. However, what are the Government doing in rural areas, where people have to travel long distances and transport and polling infrastructure are poor. How do we get young people there to vote?..." Lord Patel of Bradford - View Speech