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Who looks after
us when we
are not well?
We have the
most brilliant
health care
professionals
that make up
the NHS. We
can rely on the NHS from cradle to
grave to look after our health when
we need it. But the NHS is more than a
faceless organisation – the NHS is made
up of 1.3m carers – but who cares for
them when they need it? Fundamental
changes are needed in the way that
NHS staff are treated, and the help
that is provided to them, so that they,
in turn, can look after us. Smart rotas
which allow for staff to indicate their
preferences to when they work shifts,
via digital technology, can help staff to
manage their work/life balance. We also
need to place as much importance on
the carers, as those who are being cared
for. The other thing we need to do is to
change the culture of the NHS in order to
recruit and retain more staff.
These are the kinds of issues that come
in front of me as health secretary. But
as your local MP, and an as individual,
similar issues come up with those in
our community. At the beginning of
March, the Carers Trust had an event
in Parliament recognising the work We have recently
celebrated
International
Women’s Day
2019. A day that is
used to refl ect on
work being done in
the UK and around the world, and to
look at further action we need to take
to ensure fairness and equality in our
society.
and particular needs of young carers.
I’m extremely grateful for our young
carers in West Suffolk. They should
be recognised for their important
and compassionate work, especially
given they often balance their caring
responsibilities with their school work.
These boys and girls who do so much for
the family members they support, need
our support, too.
There are many ways that we can
help those around us with caring
responsibilities. Whether it be a mother
in our area who is struggling to cope
with the relentless demands of a new
baby, or someone who is looking after
an elderly relative with dementia or
someone for whom caring is a way of
life because they need to look after a
loved one with a chronic condition or
disability – there are ways to help. We
can offer our help with practical tasks
or maybe it’s just a question of making
time for a cup of tea and lending a
sympathetic ear. What’s important is
that we are aware that these are people
are in our communities – they are our
neighbours and friends and very often
they are confi ned to their homes due
to their caring responsibilities. We must
reach out to them and offer our time
and our compassion. It can make all
the difference to those who do the vital
work of caring for their loved ones.
Personally, I was strongly encouraged
by recent fi gures on female
participation in the workplace. There
are more women working than ever
before and the gender pay gap is
closing. Albeit not as quickly as I
would like. We are also seeing women
reach the top of their chosen careers.
This is important not just for gender
equality, as the more balance we have
amongst decision makers, the better
the decisions we see made.
However, as the nature of work
changes and we see a higher
proportion of self-employment and
chameleon careers, it is vital that
female entrepreneurs enjoy the
same opportunities as their male
counterparts. Rightly, the UK has been
ranked as one of the best places in the
world for female entrepreneurs.
To date, 39 per cent of start-up loans
have been issued to women with over
20,000 loans issued to women since
2012. Alongside this, Government has
supported and invested in the creation
of a network of 38 Growth Hubs,
providing businesses across England
with tailored advice and support.
The Business Support Helpline also
provides information and guidance
to people across England, and 45 per
cent of users in the last year were
women.
However, there is still more to do.
As part of the Industrial Strategy,
colleagues are identifying ways to
tackle barriers faced by female led
businesses in accessing venture
capital. This is one of the key issues
that the campaign ‘Women Mean
Business’ highlights. Without capital,
female entrepreneurs are not be
able to grow their businesses. This is
detrimental to the economy and jobs
and is out of step with the progress
we are making elsewhere in society on
gender equality.
We know balance helps everyone
reach their potential as do good
support networks and great accessible
childcare. Ensuring 51% of the
population reach their potential will
help us all.
Get Together Tuesdays
Tuesday March 12th was our 1st
birthday here at #GetTogetherTuesdays.
One whole year of bringing the
community together and trying to
combat loneliness. We had over 27
people attend this morning and raised
a lovely £35 for red nose day. In total
over the last year we have raised over
£700 for charity. Thank you to everyone
who attends and hope to see you all on
the 9th April at 11am at Nowton court
village. Call Clarkecare for more details
on 01284 365247
P le a s e m e n t i o n ‘ T h e F l yer ’ wh en r esp o n d in g t o ad ver t isements
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