BIVDA met with Labour MP Fabian Hamilton in Parliament last Thursday. Mr Hamilton has been in Parliament for almost thirty years and is noted for his work on international relations. Following a roundtable with Helen in his Leeds constituency, he was keen to meet with BIVDA to understand more about our work.
Last week, we were warmly welcomed into his office where Mr Hamilton explained that diagnostics was extremely important to his constituency as it is ethnically diverse, leading to higher than average rates of diabetes and sickle cell disease.
We discussed our strategy and how it fits in with Labour’s plans for NHS reform, particularly the focus on community testing and the shift towards prevention. The need for more AMR advocates in Parliament was raised, which Mr Hamilton indicated would be of interest to him.
He also noted his passion for encouraging healthier lifestyles, acknowledging that diagnostic information can allow patients to detect problems early and proactively avoid future health problems through lifestyle changes.
Mr Hamilton was supportive of a proposal to assemble a like-minded group of MPs who are interested in diagnostics and stated he would be happy to advance our goals in Parliament for the benefit of patients. We will meet with him in the New Year to discuss the next steps.
