Part of Backbench Business – in the House of Commons at 2:46 pm on 23 April 2026.
Jennifer Craft
Labour, Thurrock
2:46,
23 April 2026
I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. As my hon. Friend Sonia Kumar said, this is the first time a debate about the contribution of allied health professionals has happened in this place. It is really important to acknowledge the contribution they make to our health services and to healthcare in general. Particular thanks go to my hon. Friend Luke Akehurst for sharing his personal story about the contribution of so many different allied health professionals in bringing him back to health—basically bringing him back to life—which summed up perfectly the crucial role these many different professions play and the impact they can have.
I also thank my hon. Friend Cat Eccles both for her contribution and for her work as an allied health professional. As someone who has had two C-sections, I know that the entire operating theatre staff were crucial to making that a much better experience than anyone could have anticipated.
I thank the Minister very much for her comments, and particularly for being gracious in accepting my Intervention at the last minute. I make a final plea for her to ensure that this vital part of our NHS, which is crucial to delivering those two strands—from sickness to prevention and from hospital to community—is not overlooked in the forthcoming workforce plan, and that its contribution is both valued and given due prominence.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That his House has considered the contribution of allied health professionals.
The House of Commons.
An intervention is when the MP making a speech is interrupted by another MP and asked to 'give way' to allow the other MP to intervene on the speech to ask a question or comment on what has just been said.
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