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MNHQ

Got any thoughts about the NHS and the way it is changing? Come and talk to shadow health minister Diane Abbott in our live webchat today (Tues 15 March), 1.15pm - 2.15pm

6 replies

KatieMumsnet · 14/03/2011 11:38

Diane Abbott will be popping (back) to MNHQ for a webchat this Tuesday.

Diane was the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament in 1987 and has been MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington ever since, building a career as a parliamentarian, broadcaster and standing for Labour's leadership in the election last year.

Following the leadership election she was appointed Shadow Minister for Public Health, covering a range of issues, including alcohol, children's health, fertility and embryology, maternity services, nursing and midwifery.

If you have a question you'd like to put to Diane, please join the webchat this Tuesday lunchtime, 1.15pm - 2.15pm. If you won't be around then, please post your question here.

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 13:17

Hi all,
Diane is in the building and just settling in. We'll get started in a mo.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 13:18

@ethansmummy1981

where is the live chat link please!!!

It's all going to happen here - any minute now.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 14:37

Thanks to Diane for coming on and to everyone who posted questions.

Diane left a few more answers, which we'll post on her behalf in a moment.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 14:39

@Jacquois

I will be in the classroom on Tuesday so won't be able to follow the webchat live. Could you please Diane the following question:

Will you be taking any action to stop the Education department from abandoning cooking from the secondary school curriculum?

Although this may seem a question for education the issue has huge implications for public health. Unless we teach young people practical food preparation and cooking skills we deny them the opportunities to make informed choices with their own diet.

Money has already been spent over the last 3 years to re train teachers and equip classrooms which will be wasted unless schools are asked to retain this vital piece of the curriculum which only takes 24 hours in key stage 3.

Will the shadow health team support D&T teachers who teach these food skills - many of who are now facing redundancies?

DianeAbbott: thanks for your question on cooking and the secondary school curriculum.

I learnt to cook in school and I really value it. I think that teaching children to cook helps them understand nutrition in a practical way.

We must see it as part of the long-term strategy to tackle obesity. Almost a quarter of children are overweight or obese by the time they start primary school, and more than a third are by the time they leave.

Looking ahead, the number of overweight and obese people is likely to increase. The Foresight report has predicted that by 2025, nearly half of men and over a third of women will be obese.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families says that about 85% of secondary schools do offer cookery in some form. I think we need to focus on training higher level teaching assistants to do some of the teaching and to recruit more food technology teachers. We should support D&T teachers as much as we can, and I would like to see more cookery teachers trained.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 14:41

@Crumblemum

A bit of a more trivial question.

I loved seeing you on Come Dine with Me (a bit of a guilty pleasure), thought you came across like a really fun dinner party guest. But how difficult do you find it to square stuff like this (which I think is really good way of letting people see politicians are normal people) with your policy brief - ie healthy eating/ drinking.

Is it possible to be a really open and successful politician, or do you have to become more bland to prevent being attacked by opponents or the media?

DianeAbbott: CrumbleMum ? thanks for your question. Yes, taking part in Come Dine With Me was a lot of fun, and I hope that came across!

The truth is that really good nutrition is not about banning any foods, but eating food in moderation. Occasionally eating a pudding or a glass of rum punch with good friends is fine! The problem is when people eat processed food, sweets and chocolate all day and everyday.

Bad nutrition is not just a matter of personal choice. It leads to acute health problems like cancer, diabetes and strokes.

But government action is not a licence to hector and lecture people on how they should spend their lives ? not least because that approach simply will not work.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 15/03/2011 14:42

@dawntigga

Marking my place as I can't think of a good question, except to say. Well done on raising womens issues in the leadership race. If you'd won I might think about voting at a national level again.

HighlyDisillusionedTiggaxx

DianeAbbott: Thanks to DawnTigga and also to painterlyswoosh for their questions about the leadership contest.

I really enjoyed being able to get out and talk to people up and down the country about their concerns and also their hopes for the future. I had a tremendous response from women, wherever I travelled to in the country.

In the end, we got a great new leader in Ed Miliband, and I am very pleased to be part of his team.

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