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Consultation process referred to Secretary of State The Fit for the Future consultation document published by the West Sussex Primary Care Trust has today been referred to the Secretary of State for Health by the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC). The Joint HOSC is made up of County Councillors from West Sussex and surrounding areas, and has a legal responsibility to oversee health authority consultations. They have the power to refer consultations to the Secretary of State for determination. At today's meeting, Councillors asked for a suspension in the consultation to allow for more information and background data to be made available to the public. Following a refusal by the Primary Care Trust to do so, Councillors voted to refer the consultation process to the Secretary of State for Health. A spokesman for the Support the PRH campaign said: "This decision by the committee vindicates all that has been said about the inadequacy of the consultation process, and we welcome the decision of Councillors today. Any proposals to change healthcare provision need very serious debate and consideration, but that must be accompanied by detailed supporting information justifying the changes" "Much of the information in the consultation document is vague and has been robustly challenges by campaign groups and local Councils in recent weeks, and we will look to the Secretary of State to defend local hospital services in West Sussex"
Cllr Henry Smith, Leader of West Sussex County
Council said: "We all have concerns about the
way in which the West Sussex and Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trusts
have handled the consultation process to date. You've only had to look at
the amount of people unable to get into the PCT public meetings to see the
process has been flawed" |
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