In a compelling address at the Chamber and IQVIA’s Midlands Seminar, Preet Kaur Gill MP, Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, outlined the Labour Party’s vision for enhancing health outcomes in the region. The speech emphasised the critical need for comprehensive reforms to address longstanding issues exacerbated by the pandemic.
Preet opened with gratitude, acknowledging the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals, practitioners, and community leaders over the challenging past years, navigating a pandemic, industrial unrest, and neglect. She recognised the difficulties faced daily by those working in public health and highlighted the unprecedented importance of their roles.
Health Disparities
Pointing to the dire state of health services, Preet stated “One in seven of us are stuck on waiting lists, patient outcomes are declining, improvements in healthy life expectancy are stalling, and some 2.6 million people of working age are out of work and long term sick, a record high, and constituents pulling their own teeth out because they cannot get an NHS appointment. I could go on and on and nowhere is unaffected by the Tory health crisis”.
Preet also delved into the specific issues plaguing the region, emphasising the unique struggles faced by Birmingham and Solihull during the pandemic. She asserted “actually, here in our region, we’ve had it particularly bad. We went into the pandemic with record waiting lists, a workforce crisis in health and social care and an NHS unprepared for the challenges of the future. And then, during the pandemic, we saw how our diverse communities in Birmingham and Solihull. were pummelled the hardest. How inequalities widened and how disease preyed on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. For most people, this was a wake up call”.
Preet then pointed to the notion of levelling up and the intersect between health and demographic factors. She asked “how can we level up our region when healthy life expectancy lags years behind other regions of the United Kingdom? How can we draw a social contract with our communities when you can be four times more likely to die with the same disease for no apparent reason other than the colour of your skin? And how can we empower people to live longer, healthier, happier lives without addressing the social factors that determine those outcomes in the first place?”
Labour’s Plan for Primary Care and Public Health Reforms
1. Prevention Revolution
Preet stressed the need for a prevention revolution, focusing on securing jobs, fair pay, adequate housing, safe streets, clean air, accessible transport, free time, affordable facilities, nutritious food, and a fair society. She criticised the lack of a joined-up plan for health over the past 13 years and outlined Labour’s commitment to addressing issues like smoking, alcohol harm, gambling, and childhood obesity. Preet promised tough action against companies exploiting children’s health and outlined plans for a smoke-free future, free breakfast clubs, and efforts to tackle social determinants of health.
2. Neighborhood Health Service
Preet contended that Labour aims to transform the NHS into a neighborhood health service, enabling more people to receive care at home or in their communities. Preet highlighted the need to recruit and retain more carers, improve social care with fair pay agreements, and invest in primary care by training more GPs, reducing red tape, and placing mental health support in schools and communities.
3. Workforce of the Future
The speech concluded with a focus on the workforce of the future, armed with technology through the “Fit for the Future Fund.” Labour pledged to deliver the most extensive expansion of NHS staff in history, including more GPs, district nurses, health visitors, midwives, and dentists. The party outlined plans to abolish non-dom tax status to fund a Dentistry Rescue plan, ensuring more appointments and accessibility for those in need.
Collaborating for Change
Preet acknowledged the need for collective efforts, encouraging collaboration between the Government and local leaders to bring about meaningful change to healthcare. The speech concluded with an invitation for innovative practices and ideas from the audience, emphasising the importance of collective action in restoring the region’s health.
In unveiling Labour’s ambitious health vision, Preet aimed to instil hope and determination, assuring the audience that the party is committed to addressing the issues affecting Birmingham’s communities.
