The job of an MP is a varied one, as I reminded myself when setting off to Westminster from East Sussex at 5am with my car boot full of honey. My cargo was destined for the first All Party Parliamentary Group for Bees' Honey Fair. I chair this group and wanted to organise an event to showcase the £100 million pound British honey industry and what our beekeepers do for the environment around us.

Our event in Parliament featured stands with honey, mead, cosmetics and other products originated from the golden nectar from across the British Isles. We were joined by Friends of the Earth, the National Farmers Union, Kew Gardens and other scientific, agricultural and environmental groups. The Secretary of State for Defra, Andrea Leadsom, opened the event and we were joined by over 70 MPs who, as well as being better informed as to what bees can do if we protect their environment, left with a jar of British honey on us.

Before I could unload my cargo, I had to deal with the latest developments from our NHS patient transport service. I have been leading for MPs in Sussex on this issue and it has kept me busy over summer. The performance by the outsourced contractor, Coperforma, has been improving. However, we have been warning the local CCG health commissioners that the drivers who Coperforma's sub-contractors employ are not being paid in full. Matters have reached a head. Due to the nature of the contract, it was unclear if Coperforma had paid the subcontractors and they had not passed this on to their drivers, or whether Coperforma had not paid the subcontractors.

Last week, I wrote on behalf of the MPs and subsequently went to meet the CCG managers in Lewes to get more clarity. We agreed that this entire model made it difficult to assess and required change. I was then informed that one sub-contractor, Docklands, which employed 70 drivers, had locked drivers out of three ambulance depots and removed equipment, leaving only a closed sign for information. This is a disgraceful state of affairs. These drivers were transferred from the ambulance service to one company, which went in to administration, only to go to Docklands, where they are again denied the right to work. Despite not being paid in full, they have continued to work for our vulnerable patients. I take my hat off to them and invited them, and their union representative, to Bexhill on Thursday to continue discussions and thank them personally. It is now time to reorganise this contract and give these drivers more reassurance. Having spoken again to the CCG, and the ministerial team in the Department of Health, I feel more reassured that they will get better support.

Whilst it is important to highlight good causes such as bees and pollinators, nothing will get in the way of my desire to support our most vulnerable constituents. Whilst it is right that we gain efficiencies from the health service, we must ensure that change makes things better and not worse.