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This Week In Parliament

2011 was a hard year for our NHS. Sadly, the prospects for the new one look no better. But there is a positive. Times like these serve only to remind people of one of the NHS’s greatest strengths – the resilience of those who work within it.

I have seen that for myself in recent weeks. Together with the rest of Labour’s health team, I have been shadowing NHS staff – midwives, paramedics, porters, paediatricians and cancer nurses, across the country.

This is a make-or-break year for our NHS, and we will be leading the fight against the government’s ideological re-organisation. We will call it as it is: this is the arrival of the market and the privatisation of health care in England.

Hackney Happenings

I have just been leafleting outside Haggerston station, to show my support for local Hackney commuters and my opposition to the increasing train fares.

Across London, the average fare has risen by 5.6% this year with Tube, bus, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, boats and Tram services affected. But some commuters will find their season tickets are rising by more than this. My message is simple: voting for Boris is not a joke - he puts your fares up!

This is the wrong fare rise at the wrong time, taking money out of people’s pockets when the London economy is struggling and when people are very hard pressed. That’s why I’m backing Ken Livingstone, the Labour mayoral candidate’s pledge to cut fares by seven per cent, returning fares to 2011 levels if he becomes London mayor following May' s elections.

Health Matters

The ongoing uncertainty faced by many patients with breast implants by French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) is causing great anxiety to many women and the Health Secretary needs to take a much clearer lead in dealing with it.

Mixed messages from the Department have not helped and families affected are looking for a stronger response from the Government. Patients' stories are emerging suggesting that the response from some private providers has been completely inadequate. For instance, it is simply unacceptable for women whose implants have ruptured, causing pain and discomfort, to be referred back to the NHS. They need urgent help.

What the thousands of women affected need is for the Government to agree a clear protocol with the private cosmetic surgery industry setting out the support that they will provide to help women through this difficult situation.

Welcome to Hackney
Clapton Festival 2011 saw Lower Clapton Road, from the Lea Bridge roundabout right down to Clapton Square, transformed into a community showcase of exciting activities, including music, art, dancing, circus skills, fancy dress, with live bands, and much more.
Advice Surgery for Constituents

Do you live in Hackney North and Stoke Newington? And do you have a housing, immigration or welfare rights problem? Come to see me and my staff for confidential advice. To book an appointment call my senior caseworker George on: 0207 219 4330 or email chalkiasg@parliament.uk

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