Healthcare questions?

Published: 26 August, 2010

• READERS may be interested in the news that Camden’s health scrutiny committee has invited NHS Camden to come to our next meeting at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall (Judd Street) on September 1 to explain exactly why it has rescinded its decision to reappoint Camidoc for the local out-of-hours service in favour of the private provider, Harmoni Limited.  

This big decision reversal first came to the public and councillors’ attention through your columns, thanks to your journalist Tom Foot (report, August 5).

The same committee meeting will go on to discuss the new government white paper’s proposal to abolish, in short order, primary care trusts including NHS Camden.

We should all be very careful what we pray for because the devolution of billions of pounds worth of healthcare procurement decisions to new consortia acting for GP practices could lead to backdoor privatisation.

CLLR PAUL BRAITHWAITE
Liberal Democrat
Cantelowes ward