MP’s work to help women

Wetherby MP Alec Shelbrooke has been nominated by constituents for the annual Patchwork MP of the Year Award following his work to raise awareness of medical issues affecting women.

The Awards give individuals, and those from grassroots community organisations, the opportunity to commend MPs for the hard work they do throughout the year.

Wetherby’s MP has been nominated for the work he has done in Parliament to help women suffering from surgical mesh complications, which led to a recent national review, as well his efforts to raise awareness of Endometriosis, a painful disorder in which tissue like the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.

Mr Shelbrooke told the Wetherby News: “It was a nice surprise to learn that I had been nominated for the MP of the Year awards but the important thing is that we keep raising attention of the issues that led to this.

“I think it is especially important that male MPs are willing to speak about women’s’ health problems.

“Historically it has been a topic that we have shied away from but it’s crucial that everyone is able to understand the issues and what needs to be done to rectify them.”

Mr Shelbrooke has led a number of debates and meetings in the House of Commons in order to secure Ministerial attention, including a Westminster Hall debate on Endometriosis.

Last year, Mr Shelbrooke’s lobbying of Ministers over the improper use of vaginal mesh surgery in the NHS led to a national review.

The Patchwork Awards are divided into two categories – the People’s Choice Award voted on by the public and the Judge’s Award, where each nomination is blind judged by an independent panel. Results are set to be announced in the autumn.