“We need to target resources into cracking down on dealers while making sure treatment and rehabilitation facilities are available to those who need them," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb.
Commenting on today’s statistics from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse that reveal the number of 18-24 year olds seeking help for cocaine abuse has doubled in the last year, Norman Lamb said: “It is welcome news that more and more people are getting access to treatment for their drug problems but the sharp increase in the number of young people taking cocaine is a serious cause for concern.
“This Government has been obsessed with trying to look tough on drugs while failing to deal effectively with the drug-taking culture in this country.
“We need to target resources into cracking down on dealers while making sure treatment and rehabilitation facilities are available to those who need them.
“Ministers must do a lot more to make people aware of the serious damage that drug use can do to your long-term health.”
Showing posts with label Norman Lamb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norman Lamb. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
BURNHAM MAKING VAGUE COMMITMENTS ON HOSPITAL PARKING - LAMB
"Andy Burnham would be better off making sure that all hospitals actually comply with the current rules," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb.
Commenting on Andy Burnham’s announcement of free car parking for in-patients at NHS hospitals, Norman Lamb said: “The amount of money the NHS is making from car-parking charges is staggering. Many hospitals are essentially operating a tax on the sick.
“But it’s difficult to take Andy Burnham’s pledge seriously when he has completely failed to say where any of the money needed to pay for this would come from.
“This announcement hasn’t been thought through. The sad reality is that many Trusts will simply increase car parking charges for outpatients and hard-working doctors and nurses to cover their shortfalls.
“Rather than making vague unfunded commitments, Andy Burnham would be better off making sure that all hospitals actually comply with the current rules by offering discounts to staff and free parking to patients with chronic illnesses.”
Commenting on Andy Burnham’s announcement of free car parking for in-patients at NHS hospitals, Norman Lamb said: “The amount of money the NHS is making from car-parking charges is staggering. Many hospitals are essentially operating a tax on the sick.
“But it’s difficult to take Andy Burnham’s pledge seriously when he has completely failed to say where any of the money needed to pay for this would come from.
“This announcement hasn’t been thought through. The sad reality is that many Trusts will simply increase car parking charges for outpatients and hard-working doctors and nurses to cover their shortfalls.
“Rather than making vague unfunded commitments, Andy Burnham would be better off making sure that all hospitals actually comply with the current rules by offering discounts to staff and free parking to patients with chronic illnesses.”
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
APRIL FOOLS DAY AND DON’T WE KNOW IT; AND OUR MPs MUST BE TAKING US FOR FOOLS EVERYDAY DAY OF THE YEAR
First the poor old taxpayers have to bail out the banks, then it’s the turn of the car industry and now it’s the turn of our MPs. It appears unbelievable, but it is true! I know it is April Fools Day, but this one does actually taking some believing and it’s true.
After months of wrangling over MPs expenses with Smith McNulty and Co; Gordon Brown as at long last said the inquiry into Standards in Public Life will be speeded up.
Yesterday, Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb said: Parliament would "destroy itself" in the public's eyes unless changes to the system of MP's allowances were agreed soon.
"We must show we are capable of reform," he said.
But, still they haven’t learnt they MPs are apparently to receive a pay rise of 2.33% from 1 April (which is today), bringing their annual salary to about £64,766.
The Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and his deputy, Vince Cable, have said publicly that they will not take up the rise.
Also we have heard that plans unveiled by the Leader of the Commons, Harriet Harman, the Exchequer will increase its contribution from £12.4m to £13.2m a year. MPs will each have to pay an extra £60 a month to help fill a £51m black hole in the parliamentary pension fund.
The package was published after government financial experts found a growing deficit in the pension scheme because former MPs were living longer.
The Government Actuary said that taxpayer contributions to the scheme – already one of the most generous in the country – would have to increase by £2.1m a year to cover the shortfall.
Ms Harman said she wanted MPs to increase their payments into the scheme from 10 per cent to 11.9 per cent – equivalent to £60 a month – to help limit the extra bill for the taxpayer.
Commenting on today’s recommendations from the Government Actuary that taxpayers should contribute more to MPs’ pension schemes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said: “If this is allowed to go ahead, it will be a spectacular own-goal for MPs."
"The pensions of MPs and other well-paid public sector workers have to be brought in line with reality.
After months of wrangling over MPs expenses with Smith McNulty and Co; Gordon Brown as at long last said the inquiry into Standards in Public Life will be speeded up.
Yesterday, Liberal Democrat MP, Norman Lamb said: Parliament would "destroy itself" in the public's eyes unless changes to the system of MP's allowances were agreed soon.
"We must show we are capable of reform," he said.
But, still they haven’t learnt they MPs are apparently to receive a pay rise of 2.33% from 1 April (which is today), bringing their annual salary to about £64,766.
The Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and his deputy, Vince Cable, have said publicly that they will not take up the rise.
Also we have heard that plans unveiled by the Leader of the Commons, Harriet Harman, the Exchequer will increase its contribution from £12.4m to £13.2m a year. MPs will each have to pay an extra £60 a month to help fill a £51m black hole in the parliamentary pension fund.
The package was published after government financial experts found a growing deficit in the pension scheme because former MPs were living longer.
The Government Actuary said that taxpayer contributions to the scheme – already one of the most generous in the country – would have to increase by £2.1m a year to cover the shortfall.
Ms Harman said she wanted MPs to increase their payments into the scheme from 10 per cent to 11.9 per cent – equivalent to £60 a month – to help limit the extra bill for the taxpayer.
Commenting on today’s recommendations from the Government Actuary that taxpayers should contribute more to MPs’ pension schemes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said: “If this is allowed to go ahead, it will be a spectacular own-goal for MPs."
"The pensions of MPs and other well-paid public sector workers have to be brought in line with reality.
Monday, 30 March 2009
MENTAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS SAME GUARANTEES AS OTHER NHS SERVICES - LAMB
Commenting on two Healthcare Commission reports published today [Tuesday], which find failings in the provision of adult mental health care, and that older people are often excluded from services available to younger people, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: “Mental health care continues to be a Cinderella service. It suffers from being denied the same guarantees of access that other health services enjoy."
"The failings in mental health treatment for young adults are bad enough. But it is absolutely intolerable that age discrimination is allowed to exist in the NHS.
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