EVERGLOW AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: MS CAULFIELD

Meeting on Thursday 8th June with DHSC Secretary of State for Health etc. Mara Caulfield. at Christchurch Canterbury
Attending: Everglow the Rebecca Kruza Foundation Charity: (Myself) Lyn Richardson and, Liz Richardson, East Kent Hospital Maternity Group and others included in the Kirkup investigation.

This was my question:
“Everglow the Rebecca Kruza Foundation Charity committee members have been blocked by the DHSC and MHRA for 2 years now, who have insisted that there were no issues to fix. The Kirkup report bears remarkable resemblance to the issues we’ve raised.

Considering the decade of failings that have brought us all here today , will the DHSC now meet with Everglow please to collaborate on the improvements we’ve been campaigning for since 2017 when Rebecca took her life, 6 years ago next week on the 14th June”.

I reiterated the request to finally be included on a scrutiny committee or panel to ensure that their promises are kept.

The battle began to get an answer. Eventually after the passion within the room grew, I cornered Ms Caulfield by presenting her with evidence in my hand of our last direct contact with her, ( sent 3rd February ) and other ministers. 2023, who had been made fully aware of our campaign aims and that they have IN FACT blocked us over the last 2 years, and of all the previously unkept promises.

The result was 2 major breakthroughs:
She agreed:
To make a request for Everglow’s inclusion on KCC Health Scrutiny Committee!!!

AND; As we left Paul Bentley of the Integrated Care Board invited Everglow to a meeting with them, the Chief Medical Officer, and KMPT’s new CEO. Though we have been liaising with them (H, Greatorex and Dr Qazi ), since last October.

This will increase the chances of Rebecca’s Law and assistance with the Mother and Baby Respite Home. Yipee or am I being too optimistic?

As you may have heard from the Meridian TV interviews some scepticism remains because there was a great deal of rhetoric and repetition. Some progress has clearly been made and recommendations proposed, based on the findings of the Kirkup report Oct 2022. DHSC haven’t dealt with 1 area which is yet to be decided, and the recommendations will be fully responded to, along with the decision on the government legislation of The Public Accountability Bill due by the end of this summer. Requests have been made for this ‘ Accountability Bill’ by Rev, (now Bishop ) Jones in 2017 following his Hillsborough Inquiry, and Bill Kirkup in October 2022.
No rush then……….