Mountain Rescue
Debate between Lisa Smart and Freddie van Mierlo(1 week, 5 days ago)
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Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) (LD)
My hon. Friend will know that down in leafy Oxfordshire, we have far fewer mountains in our proximity than she does, but we do have rolling countryside and hazardous waterways. Lowland rescue plays a really important role as the counterpart to mountain rescue. It is also a charitable, volunteer-led organisation. Will she join me in praising its work to find vulnerable people and make sure they come home safely?
Lisa Smart
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving a shout-out to those involved in lowland rescue. I know there is a whole search and rescue community, including those who look at caves and other environments, and I am glad that he gave me the opportunity to thank all those involved in the great work of lowland rescue.
As climate change leads to more extreme weather events, rescue teams are increasingly a de facto fourth emergency service. The 24% rise in call-outs over five years reflects the growing popularity of outdoor activities. That is to be welcomed, but it puts real pressure on rescue teams, and social media is a significant driver. The chief executive officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Mike Park, has spoken of a shift in the types of visitors to upland areas, as people are drawn to locations by striking footage online without always understanding the conditions or the hazards involved. Chief superintendent of North Wales Police Owain Llewellyn described an “almost unprecedented” rise in visitors to the Eryri national park as a direct result of social media posts and a corresponding increase in call-outs.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Debate between Lisa Smart and Freddie van Mierlo(10 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Freddie van Mierlo
The hon. Member makes an excellent point about the impact of going private. Far too many children—and the parents who pay—are forced into the private sector; the least we can do is make sure that that marries up properly with NHS provision.
March came and went, and only today I received a response from Dr Nick Broughton, the chief executive of the BOB ICB. He confirmed that the plan is still to fund a service for 18 to 25-year-olds, but he could commit only to a timeline of “Q3 2025”. I hope Members will forgive my scepticism about that coming to fruition. Again and again, dates for care have been pushed back, and they are contingent on everything going to plan. Luckily, my constituent is still getting the treatment she needs through the right to choose, but I understand that ICBs are going to be given the option to restrict that right—what happens then?
Lisa Smart (Hazel Grove) (LD)
My hon. Friend is laying out many of the issues that my constituents face. He talked about his constituent using the right to choose. A number of my constituents have taken that route and got a diagnosis, but they cannot access medication because of the shared care model. That is a problem my constituent Helen raised with me—it is having a massive impact, and her ability to pay is being stretched. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government would do well to review the shared care model, so that those with an ADHD diagnosis can get the treatment they need?
Freddie van Mierlo
We absolutely need a review of how shared care works. If someone goes through a diagnosis and needs treatment for ADHD, or any other mental health or neurodivergent condition, the last thing they need is for barriers to be put in the way.