David Cameron is forcing through the biggest re-organisation in the history of the NHS. As I’ve previously written this reckless and risky reorganisation is unnecessary, unwanted and damaging.

Thousands of patients and NHS staff have already called on the Government to drop its Health Bill, but David Cameron is ploughing on regardless, ignoring public and professional opinion. After trying to work with Ministers to positively change the Government’s plans, the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of Midwives have now joined the British Medical association in demanding the Government drops its reckless Bill.

We need everyone who thinks the Government is putting our precious NHS at risk to join our ‘Drop the Bill’ campaign.  That’s why on Thursday, 19 January, I was joined by my shadow health team colleagues, including Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP, at a rally in the Brite Centre in Braunstone. A the meeting we heard from patients who depend on the NHS, including a man who receives kidney dialysis on a regular basis and a mother of a disabled child for whom the NHS is a lifeline.

It’s for these people and thousands more like them that Labour is calling on the Government to drop their Health and Social Care Bill. I’d urge you to consider doing the same by signing our petition, which can be found here.

The award-winning GAP (Gaining a Place) Project in Beaumont Leys is run by the East Midlands Housing Association. It provides young parents with decent accommodation while they get back on their feet. That might mean help to learn how to properly manage the family budget, or support to get the skills and training young parents need to get off benefits and into work. The ultimate goal is to help families find a home of their own, and provide the stability that is so important for children as they grow up.

The GAP project is the only one of it’s kind in Leicester that helps young dads alongside young mums. One of the fathers I spoke to told me he is completing an NVQ Level 3 in Painting and Decorating. He said that when he came to the project he was really quiet and introverted but now he feels far more confident and eventually wants to set up his own business.

The GAP Project does vital work supporting young people to become better parents and role models for their children. It also saves taxpayers money in the long run, by helping families find work. It’s a really special project that gets my full support, and I wish all the staff and parents involved every success for the future.

I’m sure most of us associate Walker’s Crisps with Leicester legend, Gary Lineker but last week I met with the people who do the real work to bring these products to our supermarket and corner shop shelves.

I toured the Walkers factory in Beaumont Leys, which has a long history in Leicester and is now owned by PepsiCo. This is an impressive, high tech operation, which processes around 800 tonnes of potatoes a day, making it the biggest crisp factory in the world. It has six large production lines, each turning out up to three tonnes of crisps an hour.

I met with the company’s Production Manager to discuss the issues that face Walkers in the coming years and to encourage them to employ and support local people. I also welcomed the progress Walkers has made in reducing the fat and salt content of their crisps, because whilst we’re a nation of snack lovers, obesity is a major problem that we all need to do more to address in future.

I will continue to do all I can to work with local employers and to support local jobs.

On Friday, I met staff working for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), including Andy Williamson, the Chief Executive.

The DLRAA is a charity that works closely with the NHS to provide a vital emergency service, which often means the difference between life and death for many of its patients. Whether someone has had a stroke, a heart attack or a serious road accident, the Air Ambulance is able to reach them, even in the most remote of locations. After providing medical care at the scene, the Air Ambulance is then able to transport the patient to the most appropriate care, even if this means travelling miles to access specialist treatment.

The highlight of my visit was meeting Captain Dan Martin and Dr Kumar as they arrived back from an incident. I got to hear at first hand how they came to the rescue of a patient in dire need of emergency assistance.  These really are our flying heroes.