Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Sarah Smith and Wes Streeting(1 month ago)
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Sarah Smith (Hyndburn) (Lab)
About 38% of children in my constituency are sadly growing up in poverty. This Government are committed to ensuring the best start in life for all children, so in addition to the increase in mental health support teams in schools, does the NHS workforce plan currently address the vital need for trained specialist community public health nurses in schools?
Wes Streeting
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the need to improve the quality of the paediatric workforce. We are considering that as we revise the workforce plan. I am proud that already, with just one decision that we took in the first year of this Labour Government to expand free school meals, we are lifting 100,000 more children out of the poverty they were left in by the Opposition.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Sarah Smith and Wes Streeting(2 months, 1 week ago)
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Wes Streeting
Within days of taking office, I upheld the judgment made by my predecessor. We need to tread carefully and be sensitive in this space. We need to take an evidence-based approach to trans healthcare in our country, and that is the approach that this Government will take.
Sarah Smith (Hyndburn) (Lab)
As you may be aware, Mr Speaker, Reform-led Lancashire county council has opened a consultation on the future of care homes across Lancashire, including the proposal to close Woodlands care home in my constituency of Hyndburn. Will the Minister join me in urging Lancashire county council not to take forward these proposals, to protect much-valued local services, and to keep care close to the community and to the amazing staff who support our residents in Woodlands care home?