(Photo: Anthony Nolan)
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has backed a recent campaign launched by Anthony Nolan calling on the UK Government to create a dedicated lead for immunocompromised people.
A cross-party letter – signed by Gwynne and over 11 charitable organisations – was sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social care last Thursday.
It highlights the fact that 13.1% of people who died from COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated were immunocompromised, and that there remains ‘a real and significant risk to some immunocompromised people, including blood cancer and stem cell transplant patients.’
The letter adds that ‘with key government support schemes now closed, immunocompromised people have been left without tailored guidance or support to keep them safe.’ As a result, the campaign is calling for a dedicated government lead for immunocompromised people, a role that would ideally be served ‘by a single named and dedicated person, with the specific remit to co-ordinate and plan guidance and support for people who are immunocompromised across all nations of the UK.
The campaign follows on from the Government’s recent acknowledgment that winter will create new challenges in managing COVID-19 cases.
Gwynne, who recently signed an Early Day Motion supporting the work of Anthony Nolan during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, said:
‘This is a really important campaign, and it makes perfect sense to have a dedicated lead for immunocompromised people so that they have the support and guidance they need.
Even though we have returned to something resembling normality, COVID hasn’t gone anywhere, and it’s really important that we still have the protections and support in place for those at risk.
I’m proud to be backing this campaign, and hope that the Secretary of State listens to the concerns of cross-party politicians, charities and exports, and implements these recommendations’
The full letter can be found below. To find out more about the work of Anthony Nolan visit https://www.anthonynolan.org/
