Live webchat with Labour shadow health secretary Andy Burnham on our Miscarriage Care campaign: WEDNESDAY 1.45pm

[RowanMumsnet]

We're pleased to announce that Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh and Labour's shadow health secretary, will be joining us for a webchat on Wednesday at 1.45pm to talk about Labour's response to our Miscarriage Care campaign.

Andy has been MP for Leigh since 2001, and has been Labour's health shadow for four years after standing in the 2010 leadership election. In government, he worked in the Home Office and was Secretary of State for Health. He's also known for his work on the campaign to find out the truth about what happened at Hillsborough.

As you may know, we're asking Andy (along with the Conservative and LibDem health ministers) to include a commitment to better miscarriage care in the manifestos for the 2015 election. Do check out our campaign and our video - and please join us on Wednesday at 1.45pm. If you can't be there at the time, please post up your questions here in advance.

Thanks
MNHQ

@JugglingFromHereToThere

A right to counselling within the NHS would be an amazing thing. Following a recent bereavement I sought counseling from Cruse and was told there is a 6 month waiting list. I think this is quite common from other sources of support too. 6 months is too long to wait if you need to talk to someone about what you're going through

This makes my last point very well. Six months is far too long to wait. People need help when they first seek it.

WHat exactly do you mean by moving care from "patient centred to person centred" and how do you propose to implement it, train staff to deliver it, and most importantly pay for it? The NHS budget is ridiculous - and so much of it gets spent on PFI related finance (thank you Gordon Brown) - how can we trust you not to spend, spend, spend? I work in the NHS and the waste is shocking....convince me you want to get a grip on controlling spending

Thanks so much for the manifesto commitment. It has felt like MNers have been battling away on this one for so long.

Off-topic (and sorry to drag it away) but want to ask you the same question I asked Gloria di Piero and Jo Swinson and Nicky Morgan yesterday: does PMQs embarrass you?

@ChairmanWow

Great to see you taking the time to talk about miscarriage care Andy.

I have to say that I received good support during my miscarriage, which happened in 2010. Afterwards however I felt a bit abandoned, and I didn't really understand what was happening physically. I also spent my next (healthy) pregnancy in a constant state of anxiety. It would have been wonderful to have some follow-up.

Also, as more and more diagnostic services are contracted out to private companies are we going to see ultrasound being separated off from the rest of maternity care? It is extremely concerning that these services could be fragmented like so many others. What would Labour do to stem the tide of outsourcing?

I saw in the Mumsnet survey that 58% of women who had miscarried wanted counselling but only 12% were offered. Not good enough.

I have come to the clear conclusion that the market is not the answer to 21st century health and care. It leads to fragmentation as you say when the future demands integration of services. But, more than that, I believe in the public NHS and what it represents - a service that puts people before profits. That is in essence what I think Danny Boyle was celebrating at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. We've got to do everything we can to protect the NHS and that is why, if I am Health Secretary this time next year, I will be in the midst of repealing the Health & Social Care Act 2012 which has placed the NHS on a fast-track to fragmentation and privatisation.

Thanks for your response to my post about counselling waiting times, sincerely hope I'm not de-railing thread BTW

But we already got a commitment regarding better miscarriage care. Yey!

• and offering counselling and support can be an important part of that

Andy

loving the points about counselling. I "only" miscarried once but was a nervous wreck throughout the next pregnancy. I can not even begin to imagine what the experience must be like for those who go through repeat miscarriages.

any thoughts on the Bounty Mutiny campaign?..

The NHS should not be a party political issue - it should be cross party so there can be consistency instead of more changes every 5 yrs....and I would say the same about education. Do you think this could ever happen - for the good of the country?

@badooby

Thanks so much for the manifesto commitment. It has felt like MNers have been battling away on this one for so long.

Off-topic (and sorry to drag it away) but want to ask you the same question I asked Gloria di Piero and Jo Swinson and Nicky Morgan yesterday: does PMQs embarrass you?

I understand your frustration. I was beginning to look at this issue in 2009/10 when I was Health Secretary but was rudely interrupted by the General Election!

On your second point, yes it does. All sides are to blame but I have to say it would help improve it if Mr Cameron actually answered the odd question here and there.

Andy - brilliant news about the manifesto commitment. I remember when this was first raised with Alan Johnson on Mumsnet back in 2008 so brilliant to have some real progress and recognition on this. Thank you for listening.

Dang general elections

Completely agree that the NHS needs rescuing from fragmentation and privatisation.

I'm not a great fan of the privatised rail service either since I got fined a fortune for inadvertently having the wrong ticket for the wrong type of train. Bring back good old BR!

But anyway hate the tory privatised model for our health and education service

@woeface

Oh that's FANTASTIC news! Wow. Can you just explain for a political novice what the timescale of this will be - and also how the success of the commitment will be measured?

I don't want to be a typical politician and make promises I can't keep but I want to see major progress on all five MN points over the course of the next Parliament. I will know we have succeeded if there isn't a new MN campaign to have me sacked!

I have to say the Wigan Wrightington and Leigh in your constituency were great when I suffered my miscarriage. The EPU was self referal (not sure if that is still the case) and was in a totally different hospital in a totally different town (leigh) to the maternity unit (wigan), which was a great relief.
The staff were kind and helpful and when i went back with a subsequent pregnancy were reassuring.
I just wanted you to know that there are some good units about. I appreciate that this wont be possible in most NHS trusts but I appreciated it

@TheStandard

woooooop! Thanks Andy

One down, two to go

Good luck with the Lib Dems!

Oh, will the LibDems not do it? Why not? Are they just frit of promising anything after tuition fees?

@brandnewinformation

Hi Andy. Do you support Mumsnet's Bounty Mutiny campaign to get commercial sales reps off maternity wards? What would you do about it if you got in?

Another case where individual hospitals seem to be able to do whatever they like and it's really farking annoying.

Remember this when mine were born - it did feel a bit inappropriate. I would have a look at it again and would be happy to meet a group of you to see what changes might be needed.

Or did you not mean that sarcastically...

I'll shut up now

@undertheduvet

I have to say the Wigan Wrightington and Leigh in your constituency were great when I suffered my miscarriage. The EPU was self referal (not sure if that is still the case) and was in a totally different hospital in a totally different town (leigh) to the maternity unit (wigan), which was a great relief. The staff were kind and helpful and when i went back with a subsequent pregnancy were reassuring. I just wanted you to know that there are some good units about. I appreciate that this wont be possible in most NHS trusts but I appreciated it

Really pleased to hear that - I'm very proud of Leigh Infirmary and the staff will appreciate your words.

Very pleased to hear about the manifesto commitment - thank you so much for listening to Mumsnetters

I'm really encouraged to hear this Andy, thank you for responding. I would also like to add that I would like to see some form of future governance in the aggressive marketing that women are subjected to upon confirming their pregnancy with their doctors. I was told on Monday by a nurse upon receiving news of a suspected miscarriage that I would have to personally request not to receive any further marketing communications. I find this unacceptable especially when so little practical information and support seems to be available for women who have miscarried.

I'm afraid I'll have to sign off now but thanks for having me on and well done on a brilliant campaign. It will make a difference and help improve our NHS. But I expect you to keep the pressure up and hold me to all the things I've said today. Thanks again and all the best

Andy

Bounty - often a mild irritation when all is well, but if you're baby has died and you're asked intrusive questions by a Bounty rep (has happened on many occasions unbelievably) you start to realise just how inappropriate their presence really is. (Not my own experience I just read widely on here!)

But again thanks for your solid answer to meet with a group of MNers to discuss the issues further. That's much appreciated too

Sorry to hear that burgesshillmama

Just heard the manifesto news - that's brilliant to hear.

You seem like a thoroughly decent bloke. Labour have my vote in the next election. My local Labour MP was absolutely excellent in oiling the wheels of a ridiculous NHS policy and actually getting my daughter the treatment she needed for severe reflux.