Live webchat with Health Secretary Andy Burnham today (Weds 22 July) 2.30-3.30pm

[HelenMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, will be joining us on Mumsnet tomorrow (Wednesday 22 July) between 2.30pm and 3.30pm for a live webchat, during which he's promised to answer your questions about swine flu (and anything else you'd like to know).

Andy has been Health Secretary since June this year. He is also MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester, was born in Liverpool, has three children, supports Everton and, apparently, plays a mean riff on the guitar.

Because of the last-minute scheduling of this webchat, we're NOT taking advance questions, so stand by your keyboards at 2.30pm tomorrow (or get someone else to ask your question if you can't be there)!

Thankyou for your time.

BrightShinySun - i wasnt being funny with you,just agreeing with you totally

Thanks for coming

I accept that the UK government have enough Tamiflu for everyone but is that the case everywhere in Europe? If we fall ill with it while we are abroad is it guaranteed that we will be prescribed it? Or is it more prudent to take some with you?

PM73 Thats ok, I didn't think you were be. Perhaps if we ask enough times we might get an answer one day!!

Yes thanks Andy

Thanks for coming. I'd love to say we aren't always this scary but I think we are

Thanks for confirming Justine.
And thanks Andy for committing to answer more of these questions in the coming week. We do appreciate your time.

Does anyone else think these webchats are a complete waste of time????

So did he actually answer questions people asked or just say the points he wanted to? Or am I just an old cynic. I've skimmed the thread and read his 'answers' all of which read like statements.

I assume the rest of his 'answers' will be posted here shortly.

It was very much a politician's webchat.
On the one hand it's great the MN has the clout to attract the really top people (thank you MN Towers) but OTOH maybe what we actually need are people who are less important but know more.
Eg not even the Chief Medical Officer but someone intelligent from his office?!

Of course, if Andy Burnham does what he ought to and passes these questions on to people who do know the answers then that will be brilliant.

However I do still think these are valuable in getting our concerns before the politians even if from our perspective there weren't many immediate answers.

Why dont they sllow every mnetter one question each, and then they can be chosen at random to be answered by the webchatter.

I hate all this, the same person posts over and over again, same question over and over again and even if it gets answered, they then say 'yes but what about xxxxx' its tiresome.

MNHQ you need to sort this out, I didnt even bother to post in this madness today

allow

I would so a webchat and I would answer all your questions.

I would do it for free too.

I agree riven.

Riven, My mother in law ..? Helps with Riding for the disabled and she saw this issue with one of the children so she wrote to the David and Victoria Beckham foundation and Victoria's mother who runs the foundation called and asked some questions re the requirement and once the request had been validated the Beckhams funded the new chair. They don't make a splash of this in the media ( which is probably to their detriment and their credit) but they were very responsive. Agree the government should do something but in the meantime this might help

Thanks Andy - I look forward to reading the rest of the responses.

Is it too late to ask for Andy to send in a photo of himself in some speedos?

Just read full thread and am quite disappointed.

I agree it seems to me that AndyBurnham's posts are statements rather than answers to posters individual questions. I do hope that we get further answers, I am particularly interested in StarlightM's questions at the beginning of the thread.

I think the live web chats are great when you get a person on who types with more than one finger (or has someone type for them quickly even), and keeps up with conversation.

Maybe an idea would be to not allow posts on these threads until webchat time? Would save the person coming on to so many posts and questions but beginning a conversation once they are 'here' and going from there.

He had someone typing for him though. Perhaps he should have chosen a typist for the job eh?

Oi, MrsBurnham. We know you're lurking. Could you pass on all the other questions please?

Alan Johnson had someone typing for him. It didn't stop him giving individual responses to peoples questions straight off the cuff rather than statement style posts.

Am unimpressed.

It's surprising anyone dares come on here for a live web chat really isn't it!?