Hackney 2012

This Week In Parliament


Labour has warned for months of the growing crisis in accident and emergency units across England. It's becoming clearer by the day that emergency care is in crisis, yet the Queen's Speech had nothing to say about the growing pressures on the NHS.

The NHS has been dragged down by a toxic mix of cuts and re-organisation. A&Es are suffering from the break-up of the successful NHS Direct service and the closure of NHS Walk-In Centres across England. The Government cannot continue to blame GPs and nurses for the crisis in A&E. It must accept responsibility and act quickly to stop loss of nursing jobs, sort out the 111 service and prevent the social care system from collapse.
Hackney Happenings
New figures published this week show fire chiefs’ average response time targets will not be met in four Hackney wards should proposals to close Kingsland fire station go ahead.

The new statistics from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) show their proposals to shut 12 London fire stations would adversely affect response times in 41 London wards, including Dalston, De Beauvoir, New River and Queensbridge.

These figures are deeply concerning. It’s clear that these are really dangerous and irresponsible cuts, which are putting local people, and our firefighters at risk. This is an attack on the people of Hackney. These plans need to be urgently rethought and I think the government and people like James Cleverly need to start listening to what local people and firefighters are saying.

Health Matters

Diane with Astrid Krag MP, Danish Minister for Health & Prevention

This month, as part of Labour’s Public Health Policy review, I visited Copenhagen. I want to make sure the best and the brightest ideas from around the world are heard.

I met with Astrid Krag MP, Minister for Health & Prevention, Ms Sophie Haestrop Andersen MP, the Social Democratic Party Spokesperson for Health and Member of the Health Committee, Mr Flemming Moller Mortensen MP, Chair of Health Committee, Social Democratic Party and Mette Skouboe, Political Advisor.

There is much to learn from Denmark. Urban planning is helping to promote physical activity in Denmark over the last few decades. Bikes are used widely in cities across Denmark and there is infrastructure which promotes cycling, people can take their bikes on buses and trains, and there are cycling lanes connecting most Danish cities. Local Authorities also have an incentive to focus on prevention because they pick up the cost of hospital treatment when a local resident is admitted into hospital.
My speech on Baroness Thatcher during the Commons tribute
During the Commons tribute to Baroness Thatcher, Diane Abbott said there are still people living today who felt themselves on the wrong side of those titanic struggles.
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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