Lewis Atkinson is the Labour MP for Sunderland Central, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. Sits on the Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee), Statutory Instruments (Select Committee), Petitions Committee, Home Affairs Committee.
Overall, across health & social care this Parliament
Alive and kicking!
Ranks 33rd of 1273 MPs and peers who have spoken on health or care this Parliament — top 3%. 96 contributions since 2024-07-23.
What they’ve raised
Lewis Atkinson has made 40 debate speeches across health and social care topics, with a particular focus on NHS mental health waiting times and rare disease screening. He has advocated for clearer mental health waiting time standards and championed newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, drawing comparisons with international practices. His contributions also addressed disability benefits assessment processes, follow-up care waiting lists, and parliamentary procedure relating to assisted dying legislation.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
Record by topic
- Palliative & end of life care8th of 55296.0
- Assisted dying9th of 34793.0
- Mental health39th of 86778.0
- Cancer18th of 61354.0
- NHS & care workforce/staffing17th of 29515.0
- Rare diseases11th of 19815.0
- NHS waiting lists69th of 53015.0
- Public health & prevention120th of 68312.0
What they’ve said
“…PIP has likely increased due to difficulty accessing vital services and support, such as community mental health services” and Access to Work. Does he agree that the reform of disability benefits in the future must go hand in hand with improving those support services, such as by widening Access to Work and, in particu…”
Timms Review: Interim Report · 2026-07-09 · Read on Hansard ↗
“Q9. Too many people are waiting too long for NHS mental health care, with over 6,000 adults waiting up to two years. In Sunderland, grassroots organisations like the wonderful Betsy Jenny café are providing support to our community, but they cannot substitute for timely, NHS-funded care.”
Engagements · 2026-07-01 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…The generation study is sequencing the whole genome of 100,000 newborns for more than 200 rare conditions, and the Government have committed to offering whole genome sequencing to every newborn within a decade, which is a welcome part of their 10-year health plan.”
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Newborn Screening Test · 2026-06-22 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…Ukraine managed to begin newborn screening for SMA in the midst of a full-scale Russian invasion. Given that, the petitioners simply ask, “Why is this screening not in place universally here too?”…”
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Newborn Screening Test · 2026-06-22 ·