This week the last debate I participated in before the start of recess was on Tuesday on the HIV action plan. Southampton still has a high prevalence of undiagnosed and late diagnosed cases of HIV, what is now a treatable and, if treated effectively, untransmissable condition. The solution, not according to me but according to the excellent Terence Higgins Trust, is opt out testing, which has been rolled out in areas with a very high prevalence. I would like to see it introduced in Southampton, increasingly the likelihood of earlier diagnosis and therefore better outcomes.
On Wednesday I chaired a number of debates in Westminster Hall. Including a very moving one about Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or chronic pregnancy sickness. My colleague Sara Britcliffe from Hyndburn spoke of the tragic death of her constituent and her unborn baby daughter. Too often so called “morning” sickness is dismissed as trivial and some go so far as to say it is all in the mind. Sara’s constituent Jessica Cronshaw passed away at 28 weeks pregnant after being left unable to eat, drink or complete daily tasks. As the Minister said in her response we owe it to Jessica to make sure there is much better awareness and understanding of just how debilitating HG can be.
My Select Committee completed our report on so-called Honour Based Abuse this week and it was an important opportunity to highlight this heinous crime. Over 2800 victims of Honour Based Abuse were reported last year, but we know it is often a hidden and under reported crime. So there is a great deal to do to make sure services like the NHS, social services and schools are aware of what to look out for.
