A Somerset MP has pleaded with the prime minister to help a "suicidal" constituent who is suffering with long-term pain.
Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, used Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons on Wednesday (December 3) to raise the plight of a local resident who had been pushed to "suicidal ideations" after her pain medication was withdrawn.
Mrs Gilmour pressed Sir Keir Starmer for a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss how the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) could better support people living with long-term pain.
Mr Starmer described the constituent's case as "awful" and promised that he would escalate the matter.
"I have a charming elderly constituent who, after a series of major medical interventions, has been left in excruciating, uncontrolled pain after her opioids were withdrawn, pushing her to suicidal ideations," Mrs Gilmour said.
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"Can the prime minister shed light on what plans His Majesty’s government have to help people manage pain in order to live a happier and more comfortable life?
"Please can I have a meeting with the appropriate minister?"
Mrs Gilmour's office has been working with the constituent (who has not been named) to improve her quality of life after she attended a constituency surgery in October.
Mr Starmer responded: "I thank the honourable lady for raising this awful case.
"We are putting in further protection and support, but I will take this up.
"It is important for her to discuss this with the relevant minister, because the case that she has referred to sounds appalling."
Following her question, Mrs Gilmour has written to care minister Stephen Kinnock MP to finalise a date for a meeting on this issue.
She said: "I used my question to the prime minister to highlight the case of a suffering constituent and to ask how the government plans to improve the lives of those suffering with long-term pain.
"Whenever I have had the opportunity to question the prime minister directly, I have raised constituent cases to ensure that people in our constituency receive the support they need.
"I now look forward to meeting with the minister for care to work on this specific case, as well as discussing the government’s wider strategy to improve the lives of people in Tiverton and Minehead and across the UK."
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