Valerie has written to Mr Richard Kirby, Chief Executive of the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which is responsible for Walsall Manor Hospital, to ask him to outline the steps he will be taking after the Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2012 highlighted that the Manor Hospital was one of 12 in England to have had more deaths than expected on two out of four mortality measures used.

Valerie met with Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls to oppose the increase in petrol tax scheduled for 1 January 2013.Valerie said:“At a time when the cost of living is rising, the Government needs to take urgent action to help ease the squeeze on struggling families. With the price of petrol at more than £1.36 a litre, the rise of 3p in fuel duty will hit families and local businesses the hardest.” “In my view, it would be useful if the fuel duty rise did not come into effect at all. Stopping the rise would help people on low and middle incomes as well as businesses get through this difficult time in our economy and into the New Year.”

On Tuesday 4 December 2012, the Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, heard evidence from Sir Michael Rawlins and Sir Andrew Dillon, the Chair and the Chief Executive respectively of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.Valerie said:

On 3 December 2012 Valerie co hosted an event with Gareth Johnson MP Chair of the APPG on Infertility to introduce the work of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) in Westminster.Valerie said:“As a member of the Health Select Committee I felt it was important to highlight the work of the HFEA in Parliament. As the body responsible for the regulation of fertility treatment in the UK, the organisation plays a crucial role in informing the public and providing support for families with children conceived through IVF.""The event was an opportunity to hear from scientific leaders about the pioneering research the HFEA undertakes. This included a discussion on the ongoing public consultation into mitochondrial replacement aimed at finding new ways to tackle genetic health problems.""The event also offered a chance to hear from a wide range of individuals working within the HFEA.""I would like to thank Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of HFEA, Professor Lisa Jardine, Chair of HFEA and the staff of HFEA for their involvement in the event."The picture shows (left to right) Peter Thompson, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Valerie Vaz MP, Professor Lisa Jardine & Gareth Johnson MP.

On Friday 30 November Valerie hosted students from the Second Chance School in Walsall around the Houses of Parliament.