Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, has co-signed a letter to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt highlighting how the loss of the European Health Insurance Card due to Brexit could prevent “thousands of Britons with long-term illnesses taking holidays abroad”.

Read the letter in full below, or click here.

Read coverage on the letter in the Independent here.

Dear Jeremy,

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides, free at the point of use, care for UK citizens travelling within the European Union and the European Economic Area. For patients with kidney failure who require dialysis three times per week, the EHIC card and the ability to pre-book their treatment at an EU hospital gives them the freedom to make temporary travel i.e. a holiday in the EU.

Private travel insurance does not provide a viable alternative to EHIC card for dialysis patients. Insurance companies will not cover the treatment, as a pre-existing condition. The cost of paying privately for dialysis sessions in the EU is up to 1000 euro a week depending on the circumstances and the procedures used.

There are currently 29,000 dialysis patients in the UK and for them Brexit could mean losing their right to travel abroad, whether that be a relaxing break, visiting relatives or for work. This could have a serious impact on the mental health and well-being of dialysis patients who already deal with extremely arduous and time-consuming treatment as it is – an average dialysis session lasts four hours and must be repeated three times a week. Equally, there will be an impact on EU dialysis patients trvaelling to the UK. London especially will hopefully remain a desirable destination for Europeans post-Brexit and it is mutually beneficial nott o discourage people from visiting.

As UK Members of the European Parliament, we call on you as our Health Secretary to fight to defend UK citizens’ EHIC card in these Brexit negotiations. The Vote Leave campaign falsely claimed that leaving the EU would mean a boost of £350m for the NHS and many voted for this believing it was true. Yet there was never any mention of losing EHIC cards and the right to be treated in EU hospitals.

Mr Hunt, will you now stand up for dialysis patients, who on top of struggling to comprehend their diagnosis, now risk losing the freedom that the EHIC card permits them?

Yours sincerely,

Jean Lambert MEP (Green)

Keith Taylor MEP (Green)

Molly Scott Cato MEP (Green)

Charles Tannock MEP (Conservative)

Jill Evans MEP (Plaid Cymru)

Catherine Bearder MEP (Liberal Democrat)

Alyn Smith MEP (SNP)

Seb Dance MEP (Labour)

Jude Kirton-Darling MEP (Labour)

Clare Moody MEP (Labour)

John Howarth MEP (Labour)

Julie Ward MEP (Labour)

Richard Corbett MEP (Labour)

Catherine Stihler MEP (Labour)

Derek Vaughan MEP (Labour)

Mary Honeyball (Labour)

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Each year 100,000 people die as a result of occupational cancer, making this the leading cause of work-related deaths in the EU. [1] Addressing this crisis, the European Parliament today voted on the final agreement on the revision to the directive on limiting exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work.

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Employment Committee, said:

“Workplaces have to be safe, not just from physical hazards but from exposure to toxic substances. It is great that this directive is being brought up to speed, which will help to save lives across the EU.

“Diseases often develop many years after the exposure to toxic substances. That’s why it is so important that medical provision can now be extended until after the end of the exposure.

“We have long demanded that the European Commission assess the need to include substances that affect reproduction in EU legislation and we are delighted that they have now committed to doing this before spring 2019.”

Background:

The key changes under the revision are:

• Lower occupational exposure limits for chromium VI and hard wood dust.

• An extension of medical supervision until after the end of exposure, as there is evidence that diseases often develop many years later.

• The Commission must assess the need to include reprotoxins, which can affect reproduction, in the directive by the first quarter of 2019.

Notes:

[1] http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/cancer-chemicals-13ah

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This article was written after the release of a new report on European health 

If you think that it is a right of pregnant women and children to be able to access healthcare, and that it is one of the most basic, universal and essential human rights, then there is bad news in store. More than half of the pregnant women seen by Doctors of the World (DOTW) last year had not had access to antenatal care. Only one-third of children seen had been vaccinated against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR).

Such are the findings of the International Network of Doctors of the World –Médecins du monde (MdM) who released a European report this month – “Access to healthcare for people facing multiple health vulnerabilities. Obstacles in access to care for children and pregnant women in Europe”. Their survey is based on their face-to-face medical and social consultations with over 22 000 individuals in nine European countries last year, including the UK. It is shocking reading.

 
I was one of the panel at the press conference to launch the report, as I had drafted a report on “Impact of the crisis on access to care for vulnerable groups”[i] for the European Parliament two years ago. The new DOTW report is important research and it deserves to be noticed and discussed by policy makers. Clinicians are not gatekeepers as some would have them be (nor do they want to be), but they are on the frontline, and we should not ignore their expertise.

Doctors of the World have a simple demand of policy makers: to ensure universal public health systems built on solidarity, equality and equity, open to everyone living in an EU member state. Many would see this as being fully in line with the International Agreements to which we are party.

Among other things, the report makes it clear that ‘health tourism’ is not a reason for migration – despite what much of the media and some politicians claim. Across Europe, only 3% of the foreign patients seen had migrated for health reasons and even for those 3%, it was among other reasons for moving – not the driving force. In fact, as the report points out, on average migrants in Europe have been here 6.5 years before accessing health care. And it should not be assumed that all of those people have an irregular migration status.

I have visited the London clinic of Doctors of the World and met clients who have a clear entitlement to healthcare in the UK but who did not know that. They do not understand the system here, may make assumptions about its costs, or have not registered with a GP (89% of those seen at the London clinic) – or have not been allowed to register. Access to healthcare cannot be portrayed as a ‘pull’ factor for migration.

Another theme from the Report’s launch was the impact of legislation that is driven by the politics of austerity. We have a looming public health crisis and yet the focus is all too often about who ‘deserves’ care, not how to provide appropriate care at the earliest opportunity. Punitive, restrictive legislation makes no economic or policy sense in terms of safeguarding public health, as the evidence from this report clearly shows. A failure to vaccinate children, for example, is a false economy in terms of individual and public health. Universal access to care, free at the point of need, is the cornerstone of the NHS, it is what makes it such a valued and envied service, yet we are hearing of mothers being presented with medical bills within hours of their baby dying: we see migration status and harsh economics driving out humanity and compassion. I cannot reconcile that with what I believe our NHS represents, or what healthcare anywhere in the EU should be doing.

Professor Lesley Page, President of the Royal College of Midwives, was also on the panel and spoke about the fact that 95% of MdM patients had had no previous access to healthcare. She said: “Access to skilled healthcare in pregnancy around birth and beyond should be a fundamental human right for women, yet too often services are either refused or simply absent. Legal, financial and bureaucratic obstacles are placed in their way, which puts many off accessing service. This has to change.” I agree with her.

The EU and its national governments have put considerable investment into the Millennium Developments Goals, including improving maternal health and that of newborns, yet pregnant women face barriers within our own borders, including within the UK. Some link the increase in stillbirths in Greece to the dramatic austerity measures there affecting access to healthcare. We need policy coherence not inconsistency.

DOTW’s report makes the point that we have seen cuts in health expenditure in half of EU Member States over the last few years and an overall rise in people not being able to access medical diagnosis (numbers nearly doubling in Greece and Spain). Restrictive laws are now seen as the main barrier to accessing healthcare among the people seen by DOTW across Europe (e.g. for undocumented migrants and destitute EU citizens, but sometimes even for nationals).

This grim reality asks real and challenging questions about who we are. Are we prepared to be humane, and practice compassion? Can governments deliver on the demand from the European Parliament that cuts to benefits and public services, should be assessed for their likely impact on individuals and on poverty – which is a public health issue. Restrictions on access to essential healthcare are also a public health issue, and should also be fully thought through before Governments turn their medical professionals into immigration officers and our hospitals into border-posts.

If we want to save money in the NHS, we should revisit the costs of PFI, rather than present a grieving, poverty-stricken mother with a bill for her stillborn child.

[i] Impact of the crisis on access to care for vulnerable groups (2013/2044(INI)), Rapporteur Jean Lambert

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Last week I was privileged to chair a breakfast meeting on “The future of health and social care: Towards a new care pathway for Europe’s ageing societies. The example of incontinence”.  The meeting was hosted by AGE Platform Europe and Eurocarers and co-chaired by my colleagues MEP Marian Harkin and MEP Heinz Becker.

The meeting combined policy leaders in health and social care to learn more about the burden of incontinence on patients, carers and society and to discuss the need for a new care pathway for Europe’s ageing societies with the aim to deliver the best possible care and help older people live independent and dignified lives. The Optimum Continence Service Specification (OCSS) on the ideal organisation of care for people with incontinence, provided an excellent example of a much needed integrated care model and innovation in ageing services.

Incontinence is a very common and distressing health and social care issue that deserves our full attention as it affects the lives of over 25 million people in Europe today, of which the majority is 65+. As we learned from Mr Archie Noone, a patient with incontinence and dementia, it can have a profound impact on the daily lives of older people as they seek to live active, healthy and independent lives and age with dignity. In support of Archie Noone’s testimony, there was consensus about the importance of speaking about incontinence, which remains still a silent disease despite its high prevalence.

Mr. Ralf Jacob of the European Commission presented the work and the perspective of the European Commission on the future of long term care in the EU, addressing the need for more efficient and better integrated health and social care services. Dr. Adrian Wagg, Professor of Healthy Ageing, followed and gave an overview of the OCSS as an example of a care pathway that is designed to deliver the best possible care for people.

Marian Harkin then opened the floor for debate on the possible barriers and solutions to improving the quality and delivery of care for Europe’s ageing population, highlighting incontinence and the OCSS as an example. Attendees agreed on the need for care coordination and highlighted the role of health literacy and assistive technology in better management of incontinence. Some participants mentioned the need to gather and present data about the economic impact of incontinence in order to make the case for policy action, while others argued that the economic argument is outbalanced by an increasing socio-demographic mass of people living with incontinence.

Finally, attendees highlighted that many good local best-care practices often do not reach national and European policy-makers. We need to improve information exchange if we are to affect change.

I believe it is critical to integrate health and social care if we are to meet the needs of our ageing population. Inspired by the example of incontinence and the OSCC, I would therefore like to call on my colleagues in the European Institutions to making coordinated health and social care a reality and give incontinence the priority it deserves.

The summary report of the meeting can be downloaded here:
Summary Report – Incontinence and the future of health and social care.

Or view the short video below:-

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Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London today attended a march by pensioners against the unacceptable and tragic deaths each year due to fuel poverty, organised to coincide with the annual release of figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), of ‘excess winter deaths’.

After meeting pensioners on the march from Charing Cross to Energy UK- the Big Six energy company’s lobby body – under the banner ‘No More Deaths from Fuel Poverty: Energy Rights Now!’ Jean, who isco-chair of the all-party group on ageing in the European Parliamentsaid:

‘As fuel bills rise and benefits fall the Government continues to ignore thousands of deaths so it’s no surprise people are on the streets. We need action to stop these figures just becoming an annual announcement of faceless statistics that are too easily forgotten. We must also recognise that the adverse health effects from cold homes makes people sick. It cannot be right that we rely on slightly warmer winters to stop people dying, rather than Government action.’

Key findings from the ONS, released today, are:

• An estimated 18,200 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2013/14; and

• 11.6% more people died in the winter months compared with the non-winter months in 2013/14; and

• There were more excess winter deaths in females than in males in 2013/14 as in previous years.

Concluding, Jean Lambert said:

‘If we had a concerted programme of energy efficiency, we could cut fuel bills, health care costs to the NHS and carbon emissions – a triple win.’

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19/09/2014

Jean writes in the Parliament Magazine on the European Parliament’s emergency resolution on the Ebola outbreak.

You can read the full article here: https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/articles/opinion/strasbourg-round-meps-back-eu-emergency-ebola-plan

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To read the article in full, click here.

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Speaking at a Brussels event to mark the International Day for Street Children, which takes place tomorrow (April12th), she said a global effort was needed to improve the lives and prospects of the estimated 700 million children forced to call the streets home – as many as 100,000 of them a year in London.

The Green MEP, who is also a member of the European Parliament’s cross-party Intergroup on Youth Issues, said: “A child runs away from home every five minutes in the UK – that’s 100,000 children a year – many of whom end up on the streets of London.

“Though many return home quickly, some don’t: and we know that however long a child is on the streets she is more likely to suffer violence and sexual exploitation, to become malnourished and suffer disease – with little or no access to healthcare – and to have their education disrupted.

“In many countries, it’s much worse of course, with children starting life on the streets.”

She added: “We really need a global focus on this: and the UN is the body to co-ordinate one. There is lots of good work happening on this issue, not least at EU level, but it really needs to be joined up. Our children, in London and around the world, deserve better.”

Campaigners say the International Day for Street Children is a platform for the millions of street children around the world – and their champions – to speak out so that their rights cannot be ignored.

They want the UN to adopt the Day – when the UN adopts a Day it gives the issue greater global exposure and increases pressure on governments to act.

You can add your support for the campaign by signing the petition.

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Across England it is estimated that 25,002 people died because of air pollution in 2010. In London alone it is estimated that nearly 3,400 died.

Jean Lambert, the Green Party’s MEP for London and a clean air campaigner, said:

“These new statistics, which show that thousands of people are dying because of air pollution, make it clear that urgent action is needed to clean up our air.

“The fact that thousands are dying because of air pollution each year should be a source of shame for Ministers. Yet, despite the mounting evidence of this major public health threat, the Government is doing far too little to reduce air pollution.

David Cameron, who last week flippantly blamed the smog entirely on Saharan Dust, should be ashamed of himself. The Government knows that the smog last week was in part caused by the high levels of pollution we have in this country, yet, shamefully, they refuse to accept responsibility. Now that these stats reveal thousands of deaths are caused by air pollution, it is time for Ministers to take this issue seriously and take urgent action to protect people’s health.”

In Ms Lambert’s London constituency 3,389 deaths in 2010 were associated with air pollution.

Public Health England’s report estimates that 7.2% of deaths in London were attributable to air pollution.

Ms Lambert, who is a founder supporter of Clean Air in London (2), went on to say:

“With almost one in 12 deaths in my London caused by air pollution it is abundantly clear that action is needed.

“We need to radically rethink the way they are dealing with air pollution. To protect people’s health we need both the UK Government and the Mayor of London to be bold in tackling air pollution – and stop trying to water down the rules.

“We need a ‘very low emissions zone’ for central London, cleaner buses, a strategy to reduce pollution from taxi exhaust, 20mph speed limits as standard in residential areas, and more steps to encourage walking and cycling.

“It’s time we recognise that air pollution is a political issue. We can clean up our air, but we need to force politicians to take the issue seriously.”

The Public Health England report is available here.

Jean’s latest report on London’s Air Quality is here .

More information about Clean Air in London is available here .

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Speaking ahead of World Health Day, which is marked today, April 7th, she said that tackling inequality is the biggest single thing governments can do to improve public health.

“We need to concentrate on development policies – and tackle the growing inequality that’s causing ill-health in the industrialised North,” she said.

“The World Health Organisation is using today to launch a new campaign on mosquito-spread diseases: and the long-term solution must be lifting people out of poverty, not least so they can afford some of the simple prevention measures.

“Malaria and dengue fever kill millions worldwide each year, and we know that climate change is spreading the range of the mosquitoes that carry them into Europe.

“This will present further challenges to healthcare providers, which means strengthening the right to access healthcare, not using austerity measures to shrink the possibilities – especially for the most vulnerable.

“The biggest difference any government can make to improving a nation’s health is to tackle inequality – and that’s true whether you’re in London, Lagos or Lisbon.”

For more information on World Health Day, click here.

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