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Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley speaking on his return to the House of Commons

He was unwell for a while before the General Election and in June was admitted to hospital after falling under a train.

He took four months off to recover and last week returned to work.

So it was very brave of him to speak openly about the pressures faced by MPs.

"All of us in this place come into politics because we want to serve," he told MPs "and that job, that calling brings with it, its own unique demands."

He went on: "I'm not suggesting we are a special case but I would suggest other jobs have a highly-developed human resources department or personnel department who individuals can go to.

"We don't have a similar support network, except the whips' office."

And that's why he was speaking. Parliament was debating the role of whips and Mr Ruffley believes they are indispensable.

"The whips office is a bit like the NHS - we hope we never need it but it's very good to know it's there if you do. That has been my experience.

"The House relies on the whips' office for the delivery of pastoral care and in my case that's resulted in my full recovery... and I have to say I'm enjoying it hugely."

The whips were quick to rally round when Mr Ruffley went into hospital. They asked the press to give the MP time to recover while two of his neighbouring colleagues, Matthew Hancock and Daniel Poulter, were assigned his constituency duties.

It was a support operation which worked.

In the past there have been instances where MPs have admitted feeling pressurised, lonely and unsupported at Westminster.

The operation to support Mr Ruffley shows that it isn't always like that.

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