Biography
McDonnell has engaged extensively on health and social care topics through 27 debate speeches, with notable contributions on brain cancer and brain tumour survival rates, long Covid and post-Covid cardiovascular risks, and mental health issues including those affecting prisoners and young people. His interventions have frequently centred on cancer research, supported by collaboration with constituents and campaigning organisations, and he has spoken on assisted dying legislation, emphasising the importance of adequate safeguards. Across his contributions, McDonnell has consistently advocated for comprehensive government strategies and highlighted the need to counter stigmatising language around disability and mental health support.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“…levels of noise that we have been debating, and there was an element of shock for some of us: we knew about the cardiovascular impact, but we now know much more about the impact on mental health in particular.”
Record by topic
- Mental health140th of 88024.0
- Unpaid carers26th of 28318.0
- Learning disability & autism307th of 89912.0
- Cancer126th of 62212.0
- Heart disease & stroke41st of 3989.0
- Palliative & end of life care213th of 5686.0
- Long Covid7th of 556.0
- NHS waiting lists323rd of 5343.0
- Diabetes68th of 1903.0
- Public health & prevention417th of 6883.0
- Respiratory (asthma/COPD)47th of 1423.0
- Adult social care & reform186th of 3763.0
- Assisted dying193rd of 3713.0
What they’ve said
“Four years ago, we welcomed many new residents into a number of new homes in my constituency. Despite saving up, getting themselves on the property ladder and paying anything between £300,000 and £500,000 for brand-new leasehold properties, those living at the Bluenote apartments have found themselves living in a night…”
Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment · 2026-07-16 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…It seems that those now being targeted for invidious smearing are young people who are facing mental health issues. I urge my right hon. Friend to publish detailed analysis of that issue as soon as possible to give us a greater understanding of it, so that we can perhaps avoid the stigmatisation of these young people.…”
Timms Review: Interim Report · 2026-07-09 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Paul Davies). Let me just run through again the stats from the Brain Cancer Justice provisionals, as they have been described: there is a 30% shortfall in consultant radiologists, which he referred to; only 40% of patients report having access to a clinical nurse specialist; there ar…”
Brain Cancer · 2026-06-15 · Read on Hansard ↗
“I beg to move, That this House has considered hidden credit liabilities and the role of the Financial Conduct Authority. I will explain the genesis of this debate, Sir Roger. I chair the all-party parliamentary group on investment fraud and fairer financial services.”
Hidden Credit Liabilities: Role of the FCA · 2026-04-14 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…Many prisoners have severe mental health problems. The POA says that they should not be in prison; they should be in specialist units, as should those who are drug dependent. Recently, there have been examples of the POA having tried and failed to negotiate safe practices with management.”
Prison Officers: Mandatory Body Armour · 2026-03-26 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.