Guest column: Good will of local people never ceases to amaze me, by Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero

I recently did my bit to drum up support for a charity night in aid of Cancer Research at the Triple ‘S’ Club in Skegby and the amount of money raised that night exceeded the organisers wildest dreams.

Peter Haynes and Steve Chase, two of the gentleman behind it, did a brilliant job and raised a whopping £600, while the Commons wine I donated fetched £20. Well done guys!

While we are on a roll, I want to bring to your attention, Kirkby lad Alec Dickens’ efforts to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Research.

On Bank Holiday Monday (August 31) he’s going to shave off all his hair in memory of his mum, who sadly lost her battle with cancer.

If you want to help beat cancer - you can donate by going to https://bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/alec-dickens/ Every penny counts.

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed there’s been a spike in the number of complaints I’ve received about the length of time it is taking people to get an appointment with a consultant.

One pensioner turned to me because he was so concerned when his wife’s Ischemic Colitis condition began to deteriorate while she was waiting for stents to improve the blood supply to her colon.

During that time she was eating very little, lost a great deal of weight and was increasingly in pain.

After I intervened, I’m pleased to say they immediately heard from the Vascular Department at the QMC and have two solid dates for a pre-assessment and the operation this month. But this isn’t the only case.

Another lady was exasperated after being told it would be 11 weeks until a consultant could take a look at her little boy’s slight club foot at King’s Mill after being referred by a GP back in May.

This appointment was then cancelled over the phone and she was told they’d have to wait for another one to come through.

This just isn’t good enough – as I have made abundantly clear with hospital bosses.

Thankfully, a consultant was able to see her son last week but I don’t want any more patients in Ashfield going through this, so if you’re facing similar problems please do let me know.