Winchester's MP has announced that he is leaving his "deeply rewarding" job to focus on politics.

Danny Chambers worked as a veterinary surgeon, founding Veterinary Voices UK, a discussion group for vets, and acting as a trustee of Vetlife, a mental health charity.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, July 20, Danny announced that he was "hanging up his stethoscope" from "the perfect job for someone like me who grew up on a farm working with animals since I could walk, but who really loved science at school."

Mr Chambers was elected MP for Winchester for the first time in the General Election on July 4.

As a trustee for VetLife over the last seven years, he stated that mental health is one of his priorities in Parliament, where he hopes to have a greater impact on animal welfare than he "ever could in clinical practice".

VetLife provides a 24-hour helpline and immediate private referral for those who have reached a crisis point with their mental health.

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Mr Chambers said that people waiting months to receive mental health support from their GP "desperately needs to change"

He said: "I am very proud that the Lib Dems have long campaigned for mental health to be treated with the same level of importance as physical health.

"I can tell you that when door knocking, the mental health of children and young people who’s education and development was affected by the pandemic is being brought up time and time again by parents who are worried sick that their teenagers are waiting months or even years to access the support they need.

"I'm also keen to help ensure that other state school kids have the same opportunity I had to enjoy such a fulfilling career."

He also acknowledged that he "always had a roof over my head, I never went to school hungry and we benefited from my mother, a former teacher, reading to us every night.

"If I had gone to school hungry, it's unlikely I'd be writing this post as a veterinary surgeon, and even less likely as a Member of Parliament."

Mr Chambers stated that he was leaving the job "for now" and may occasionally work as a veterinary surgeon to keep his registration once he has settled in.

He said: "Bring on the continued interest and variety in my new role. It is the honour of my life to serve as Winchester’s Lib Dem MP, and I am grateful to everyone who put their faith in me."