Today at the Health and Social Care Committee, members took evidence from victims and families affected by sodium valproate, an anti-epilepsy drug still prescribed despite the known risks it poses to expecting mothers, potentially causing birth defects and developmental delays. Lucy and other Committee Members heard powerful testimony from campaigners on behalf of the ‘Sling the Mesh’ campaign for women who have suffered complications of mesh implant surgery.
Lucy Allan MP asked Minister Maria Caulfield MP about redress for those who suffered harm from the prescription of sodium valproate during pregnancy, and the use of mesh implants for women experiencing incontinence. She also questioned Minister Caulfield on why the government had declined to implement the report’s recommendation for a new independent redress agency for those harmed by medicines and medical devices.
Baroness Cumberlege, the author of the First Do Know Harm report attended the meeting and discussed the Government’s response to implementing the Report’s recommendations.
Lucy has campaigned on patient safety throughout her time in Parliament and before becoming an MP, when she was a Non-Executive Director of a Health Trust, and served on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on a local council. In Parliament, Lucy has worked closely with Jeremy Hunt, the former Secretary of State and former Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee on patient safety. Lucy has met and took part in approving the appointment of Dr Henrietta Hughes, England’s first Patient Safety Commissioner, to ensure that patient safety is prioritised.
As an MP, Lucy has met and worked with many victims of the Telford maternity scandal ensuring the commissioning and publication of the Ockenden Review as well as campaigning for more funding for maternity care. Telford women experienced avoidable injury and loss at the Princess Royal Hospital and their concerns were too often dismissed. Lucy lobbied for justice for these victims.
Patient safety issues and better patient care will always be a priority for Lucy in Parliament.
Lucy Allan MP said:
I am very grateful to those powerful advocates, campaigners and victims who shared their experiences and gave evidence the Health and Social Care Committee today.
It was deeply shocking to hear first hand of the harm that the prescription of sodium valproate during pregnancy has caused families and children and the suffering and damage caused by use of internal mesh for female incontinence. I was incredibly impressed by the work done by the Sling the Mesh campaign and In-Fact (Independent Foetal Anti Convulsant Trust) and how brave campaigners have been.I will continue to campaign for justice for all victims of patient safety failings. Supporting victims of medical malpractice will continue to be a key focus of my work. I am glad that the Health and Social Care Committee has long focused on Patients Safety and justice for women and children who have suffered harm.
It was also good to meet with the Minister after the Committee to discuss these issues in person. Minister Caulfield is genuinely passionate about women's health and I look forward to working with her.
You can read more about the Sodium Valproate scandal on ITV's website here.
Photos above: Lucy Allan MP with Maria Caulfield MP and with the campaigners who gave evidence at today's session, Steve Brine MP Chair of Select Committee and Baroness Cumberlege.
