Dari Taylor MP

"It has been my privilege to represent the people of Stockton South in Parliament since May 1997. I was successfully re-elected in 2001 and on 5 May 2005. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the constituency who placed their trust in me by voting for me again. As your Member of Parliament, I will always be accessible and help or advise any of you when and where I am able to do so."

Dari’s Parliamentary report for 2008

24th October
I was delighted to present prizes for Tesco’s Computers in Schools in the Eaglescliffe Tesco store. Three schools were lucky to receive I.T equipment ranging from digital cameras to laptops. The children involved were a credit to their schools and certainly deserved the goody bags that Tesco's gave us all!

I met with Rocket-Ball representatives from Thornaby who are very keen for their sport to be included in the Olympics. The meeting was very positive.

22nd October
I was bitterly disappointed that my amendment to help the 1 in 6 couples in Stockton, Teesside and England who have problems in conceiving naturally was not accepted by the Government.

In 2004, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) established guidelines on the treatment and management of people with fertility problems, which outlined that ‘up to three full cycles should be made available on the NHS to all those couples meeting its agreed clinical criteria’. However, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are under no statutory obligation to follow these guidelines and this has resulted in a postcode lottery in terms of access to NHS fertility treatment. According to a recent Department of Health survey, only 9 PCTs are implementing the NICE guidelines, with 143 others offering either less or no treatment at all. In Stockton, and across Teesside, couples - who must meet strict eligibility criteria - are entitled to receive only one full cycle of IVF treatment on the NHS.

The new clause I was proposing would have made it a statutory requirement for all PCTs to commission in vitro fertilisation services for the populations they serve. PCTs would additionally have been required to produce an annual, report on the performance and outcomes of their IVF services for their Strategic Health Authority, which would be published. The purpose of this was to encourage all PCTs to implement the NICE guideline in full and provide fair and equal access to a full range of infertility treatments on the NHS for all those with a clinical need.

In this year when we have celebrated both the 60th anniversary of the NHS and the 30th anniversary of IVF treatment the great majority of infertile couples are forced to access fertility treatment privately. This is hideously expensive, and invariably the only treatment which is on offer is IVF.

Many infertile couples still do not have any access to NHS-funded fertility treatment – either because their PCT simply does not fund such services, or because they do not fit into the confusing myriad of criteria set out by many PCTs before people can access these services. The bizarre nature of the situation facing people in different PCTs is illustrated by the fact that in some PCTs a woman must be under 35 to be eligible to receive treatment while in others she must over the age of 36!! There is no possible clinical justification for these requirements. Other PCTs make stipulations about the length and nature of a couples' relationship, health, and if one has stepchildren. In some areas people who have funded any private fertility treatment are barred from accessing treatment on the NHS.

Some people are of the belief that fertility treatment should only be privately available – taking the view that having children is a lifestyle choice. However, the fact is that infertility is recognised as a disease by the World Health Organisation and the majority of infertile couples are diagnosed with a medical condition which include; Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Abnormal Ovulation and Azoospermia.

I firmly believe that these medical conditions should be treated in the same manner as any other illness under the fundamental founding principle of the NHS, namely that affected people should be treated free and at the point of need. Only when the NICE guidelines become a mandatory requirement – as advocated by my amendment – will infertile couples be treated fairly and equally to all other NHS patients. I am very very disappointed that the Government has not adopted my amendment.

21st October
O2 held a reception on the Youth projects that they are supporting. I was very impressed with many of the projects and want to say to any organisation in the Constituency that has an idea for a youth project they would like to develop and would like to apply to O2 for financial support please contact my office.

17th October
Green Peace has been holding a Green Film Festival throughout the Tees Valley and tonight their film was screened at Stockton Library. The Film, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ by Al Gore, was excellent film and I hope that Green Peace request permission to show the film in the House of Commons.

14th October
I went to the Department of Transport to discuss with the Minister, Lord Adonis, the possibility of a Tees Valley Metro.

13th October
College Principals from the Tees Valley visited Parliament to meet with me and other Tees Valley MPs.

19th September
I attended the Tees Valley Apprenticeships Awards and was delighted with the level of skills and dedication exhibited by the winners. Many of the fantastic engineering companies in the Tees Valley take on apprentices every year for a special programme of training. The winning apprentices were a credit to themselves and their sponsoring companies. Well Done!

18th September
Axion,a world class engineering firm in Stockton, opened new and larger premises today. This is one more example where Teesside and Stockton are at the leading edge of value added knowledge. Highly qualified staff are leading and expanding Axion, putting the company at the cutting edge of engineering production through problem solving consultation. It was a delight to be at the opening of their new building and I am convinced that engineering is safe in Teesside.

16th September
I conducted an On-Street Surgery in Eaglescliffe.

13th September
Today was the Thornaby Battle of Britain Commemorative Service at the Airman’s Statue. It was, as always, a time to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.

12th September
Yarm School celebrated 30 years of academic excellence today and I was very privileged to have been invited to share in their celebration. The school leavers for the year were presented with awards and I was very pleased to hear a speech by a possible future Yarm School Head Teacher!

11th September
The Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions, Stephen Timms MP was in Thornaby today listening to the problems and concerns of people attempting to get back into work. Barriers into work for the disabled and carers need to be carefully looked at and I am very grateful to THRIVE, Churches Against Poverty (CAP), Oxfam and the Women of Thornaby (WOT) for expressing in very human ways, the difficulties that many face in getting back into work.

Today was the Centenary of the Territorial Army and Cadet Association and a fabulous Tattoo took place in Durham that I was privileged to attend. I have always been a keen supporter of the TA and especially the Cadet Association which does valuable work with our young men and I was indeed honoured to join them in their celebration.

5th September
As constituents will know, I am always keen to hear their views and any problems or concerns that they might have. In view of this I carried out a telephone surgery in Grangefield.

4th September
Following representations made to me by residents concerned about incidents anti-social behaviour taking place in the Briar Road area I met with local police to discuss the situation. They have reassured me that they take the problems very seriously and hopefully the situation in Briar Road will soon settle down.

2nd September
Stockton Town Football Club and Stockton Sixth Form College opened their new sports and performing arts facilities. The facilities are fantastic, targeting young people and involving them in sport. World Cup hero, Geoff Hurst, cut the ribbon and gave a speech. I know that some residents have concerns about this new facility but I would urge them to visit the facility themselves. However, I am discussing the issues raised by local residents with the Club and the college.