by Liz Twist | Mar 21, 2020 | 4 Featured, COVID-19, Office News
I have been contacted by key workers who are unsure about whether their children can still access school, so they can continue to provide essential services to keep our health service, public services and essential supplies going.
The link below includes important information for parents and carers of children at registered childcare providers (including nurseries and childminders), primary and secondary schools and further education colleges. This is for both state-funded and independent schools.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
by Liz Twist | May 21, 2019 | 4 Featured, Office News
On 14 May, Liz attended the launch of the Primary Futures Parliamentary Champion programme, a major cross-party initiative that aims to raise the aspirations and broaden the horizons of primary school children.
Primary Futures is an exciting initiative pioneered by the charity Education and Employers and the National Association of Headteachers. The programme helps inspire children by connecting primary schools with local role models through an innovative online service. Volunteers from apprentices to CEOs, architects to zoologists, then give an hour a year to go into schools and chat informally to children about their work.
Children can only dream about what they know. Primary Futures shows pupils exciting futures and helps them understand that by aiming high and working hard, they can realise their dreams. In focussing on young children, the initiative can have a markedly positive effect on attainment. It is also underpinned by technology that gives schools more control over the type of event they believe would be most valuable for their pupils.
Liz commented: “Children’s career aspirations are formed at a young age and influenced overwhelmingly by who they know. All children should have an equal opportunity for a fulfilling career that is not limited by their background. I’m going to be championing Primary Futures in Blaydon as it will help open the eyes of local children to what’s possible and what they could achieve.
“I will be writing to regional business, charity, and public-sector leaders, encouraging them to volunteer and spread the word about Primary Futures in their professional networks, as a growing number of volunteers is essential to boosting these careers events. I will also be registering as a Primary Futures volunteer to share the exciting work of politics with local children.”
Nick Chambers, CEO of Education and Employers, added: “I’m delighted that Liz is supporting Primary Futures and I have no doubt that her involvement will go a long way to raising the aspirations of children in Blaydon.”
by Liz Twist | Nov 20, 2018 | 4 Featured, Office News
I’m delighted to announce that the winners of this year’s Christmas Card competition is St Joseph’s Primary School. The winning cards by St Joseph’s are held by Mary Foy (centre), Chair of the Gateshead Council Fairtrade Steering Group, and Jo Lambert (right), Digital Marketing Manager for Traidcraft. Commiserations to the runner-up, Parkhead Community Primary School, whose entry is held by me.
Thanks to all the schools who took part!
by Liz Twist | Oct 23, 2018 | 4 Featured, Office News
This afternoon we had the third meeting of the APPG on Phenylketonuria (PKU). It was great to discuss the updates in both NICE and NHS England’s appraisal of PKU drug Kuvan, which is still not available on the NHS.
We also discussed the problems many PKU patients are having in getting their essential dietary products prescribed by their local CCGs. I will be writing to CCGs nationwide about this.
I will continue to fight for PKU patients! I hope in the near future we will finally see Kuvan available on the NHS, and also see dietary products more readily available for patients.
by Liz Twist | Sep 6, 2018 | 4 Featured, Health & NHS, Office News
This morning I visited the Maternity Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead (QE), along with Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
I was very keen to see first-hand the excellent work done by Midwives at the QE. A recent CQC report rated the Maternity Services at the QE as “Outstanding”; with the Hospital being rated as “Good” overall.
I’ve been delighted today to have seen the tremendous work done by staff at the QE Maternity Unit. It’s made me very proud.
It is important that we now maintain this level of outstanding service. At a time when so many Maternity Units across the country are struggling, it’s essential that we don’t let that happen at the QE. All Maternity Units deserve the high level of service that we have here.
by Liz Twist | Jul 31, 2018 | 4 Featured, Office News
I recently met with one of my constituents, David Rae, who brought with him his Father’s service medals.
David’s Father, Andrew, served on Operation Grapple Y at Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Pacific Ocean in 1958 – which was part of the British hydrogen bomb programme. Andrew was one of 22,000 British service personnel who witnessed the nuclear weapons tests.
These men witnessed one of the most devastating weapons our country has produced, but veterans have not been recognised in the way they ought to have been.
In 2015 Fiji paid compensation to soldiers exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests, yet this has not happened in Britain. It is about time British service personnel were rightly recognised.
I am therefore hopeful that people will sign this e-petition to ‘Award a medal to British personnel involved in any nuclear testing program’: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/220170
