Lynne Featherstone

So - on Monday the draft 'options' for the future configuration of our local health services were passed up the chain to the Strategic Health Authority for London - NHS London. Well - that is the news that reaches me. No - we are not to know their thinking.

My understanding is that these are the first cut of reconfiguration options that NCL (North Central London Sector) have sent to SHA (Strategic Health Authority.

I feel we should have access to this document as soon as possible and I have sent an email to Rachel Tyndall (Chair of NCL) asking for a copy. Just in case this request is refused - I will submit a Freedom of Information request on Monday.

On the democratic accountability around all of this - why is it that local authorities have no representation at the decision making tables? It turns out we do - an officer form Enfield has been nominated to NCL. It is outrageous that a paid officer has been made the effective "place man" to represent  the 1.2 million people in the NCL area.

It seems that this was agreed following meetings between NCL and Leaders and CEOs of the boroughs - sold down the swanny in my view. My LibDem colleague, Dave Winskill's suggestion is, at the very least, all lead members on adult services get together to discuss this and the implications for their services and demand representation.

After all, I have no doubt that any savings that these savage cuts make (if they succeed in their evil passage) will not be shared with the Boroughs who will surely bear some of the extra cost of community based care?