This week started with the publication of the Sue Gray report and the statement from the Prime Minister about the setting up of a new office in Downing Street. It did give us all the opportunity to ask a question on how this would work, and from my perspective what matters is an ability to scrutinise it and hold it to account. It is the job of a backbench MP to do exactly that and it is crucial that any new structures should be accountable to Parliament.
Away from the political drama I have been pleased to be able to take part in a debate on the Cumberledge Report and the impact of Sodium Valproate, Primodos and vaginal mesh on women’s health. I have been working closely with in InFact campaign group and colleagues to see the Cumberledge Report, which was published in July 2020, properly implemented. Westminster Hall is almost invariably where debates are cross party and at their most constructive and consensual, and I have worked on the Valproate issue pretty much since I was first elected in 2010.
We are expecting the Women’s Health Strategy to be published in the Spring, which is an important opportunity to put some major issues at the heart of health policy. I have met this week with the team at the Department for Health and Social Care to highlight some of the issues which I have been working on as Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee and also on behalf of constituents. Not least among them is the menopause and access to HRT and we have this week seen the announcement that HRT is to be made available over the counter. I think that is broadly good news, but have asked people who are real experts on this for their thoughts.
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