Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrats in Haringey have again condemned the way in which Labourcouncillors on the Social Services and Health Scrutiny Panel voted againstusing legal powers to refer the closure of two mental health day hospitalsin the borough to the Secretary of State for Health.

This is the second time Labour councillors have ignored the pleas of mentalhealth users and thwarted the Scrutiny Panel from exercising its legalpowers. A similar vote in March was lost because Labour members wanted togive the Mental Health Trust a further three months in which to consider theissue.

Lib Dem Social Services and Health Spokesperson Cllr Ron Aitken moved thereferral to the Secretary of State on the grounds that the Trust has now hada year in which to reverse its decision to close Kate Marsden and CanningCrescent Day Hospitals.

This time the vote was 2-2 and the Labour Chair used his casting vote todefeat the proposal.

“It beggars belief that Labour members of the Scrutiny Panel voted alongparty lines to frustrate a move to use the Panel’s legal power to refer thematter to the Secretary of State” said Cllr Aitken.

“For mental healthpatients and their carers this is a slap in the face from Labour who saythey care but in practice toe the party line”.