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Some of Stevenage and North Herts’ 18,000 unpaid carers gave local MP Stephen McPartland an insight into the reality of caring for someone close to you, when he took part in local charity Carers in Hertfordshire’s Annual Carers Event held in Stevenage last week.

Speaking after the event Stephen said, “I was delighted to attend part of the Carers Conference in Stevenage and believe they are the unsung heroes of our communities. Many adult and child carers in particular, give up their own hopes, dreams and often health to care for another. It is important we all recognise the contribution they make and I will continue raising their issues locally and nationally”.

Sue Reeve, Chief Executive of Carers in Hertfordshire said, “When you are a carer it can sometimes feel like no one is listening, so I was really pleased that Mr McPartland took time out to come and find out about the worries and concerns of local carers.”

Stephen McPartland MP visited Hertfordshire PASS’s offices in Stevenage to find out more about a new apprenticeship being developed to enable young disabled people to be more effective employers of their personal assistants or carers.

Stephen said after the visit "I was proud to meet some of the new apprentices and learn from them the journey they had undertaken in developing this concept. It is an amazing project and I am delighted that they are leading the way with such an innovative apprenticeship scheme. I look forward to working closely with them and keeping Ministers informed of our progress."

One Facility a Stevenage-based Facilities Management & Maintenance company invited local MP Stephen McPartland to launch a new electric vehicle for use on their client site.

Stephen said, "One Facility is a great Stevenage success story that is focused on employing local people and using local suppliers. They look after some of the town’s largest companies and really care about delivering excellent service. I was delighted to launch their new electric vehicle, which is another example of their commitment to our town, their employees and customers".

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage said, "WorldSkills 2011 was a fantastic event and was supported by apprentices from MBDA, one of Stevenage's biggest employers. I was delighted to see first hand the enthusiasm and innovation they showed in what was, in my view, one of the best displays of the event."

WorldSkills London 2011 was the largest ever international skills competition and careers event, and more than 200,000 people from the UK visited.  As well as being inspired by the teams taking part, visitors were able to have a go at hundreds of new skills, meet top employers and get specialist careers advice to help make that important next step.

Local MP Stephen McPartland marked the official opening of the newly refurbished Elizabeth Court in Stevenage by cutting a ribbon to open the newly transformed unit. His visit was as part of a special tea party laid on for service users, staff, carers and other organisations to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment works at the specialist dementia unit.

Stephen said: “I was delighted to be given the privilege of formally opening the refurbished Elizabeth Court with the HPFT’s project and service managers and a carer. I was very impressed with the new facility and the expertise of the staff.  I am proud Stevenage is leading the way with this fantastic pilot project and I look forward to monitoring the results closely.”

One of the most amazing pieces of technology in use at the Lister Hospital is the da Vinci robotic surgical system.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, commented, “The robotic system is fantastic as it gives surgeons all the movements of their hands but miniaturised so that the incisions needed are kept small. It has improved the results of men’s recovery and is delivering real benefits to local people. There are only just over 20 robots in the NHS nationally so it is another example of how the Lister Hospital is leading as a centre of excellence.”

Stephen was shown the robot by the surgical team, and heard that since being installed almost 2 years ago it has been used by surgeons for around 240 procedures. To date the robot has mostly been used to cure prostate cancer, but surgeons at the Lister are increasingly applying it to a range of other procedures.

Adrian Hodder presented his Vario chair design to MP for Stevenage, Stephen McPartland. Commenting on the chair, Stephen McPartland MP said, “Adrian’s achievements show how well a good work placement can bring out the very best in students.. I am sure that Adrian has a very bright future ahead of him and I wish him well and hope to hear more about how the product can be taken to market.”

Adrian, who comes from Knebworth, completed his Product Design degree at Brunel University, and spent his placement year working at FIRA International. His award-winning final project involved the design of the ‘The Vario Chair’, a school chair designed to adjust quickly and easily to fit students with different heights.

Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland was a guest at the Coffee Day held by Jenny Keen and Anita Parsley on Friday 30 September at Jenny's Stevenage home in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jenny and Anita are staunch supporters of Macmillan and the help it provides to those suffering with cancer. Thanks to good support from friends and neighbours, they hope to raise over £350 from the Coffee Day.