0:00
Madam Deputy Speaker, 669 people contributed to this debate by sharing their experiences, which demonstrates just how important it is. And I want to thank each and every one of those people and acknowledge their moving, thoughtful and detailed contributions which have helped me to prepare for today.
0:24
And it isn't just a case – like for me – of taking I think five tablets over the course of a day which manages my epilepsy.
0:32
As Gayle has told me: “My daughter takes more than 50 tablets a day to treat the condition. When you compare this to other serious lifelong conditions that are exempt from prescription charges, it is impossible to understand why cystic fibrosis is not included. This outdated decision needs to be rectified.”
0:52
So, I'd like to echo the very simple ask one of the pupils who responded to my survey made. She said: “Let girls participate in all sports at school. I want to do the same sports as the boys. If we do dance, so should they. And if they get to do rugby, so should we.”
1:11
Tracy talked about the need to be able to take a break from caring.
1:15
She said: “Respite is essential. If carers reach burnout, the person they care for could end up in state-funded care sooner. If you support the carer and they feel valued without having to worry about finances, they would be less stressed and able to cope day-to-day.”
1:33
Another of my constituents reported: “My family and I have never been allowed into the care home that he now resides in. Restrictions have caused unnecessary stress and anxiety to my family and I.”
1:49
Emma, who responded, said: “There's a lot of information promoting breastfeeding through the NHS, but then very little actual support to help facilitate it. This mixed messaging then causes women to feel like a failure if they're not successful in meeting their breastfeeding goals.”
