Liberal Democrat Health Amendment Supported By Labour

12.40.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jul 2007

In a rare, yet welcome, show of unity with the Liberal Democrats the Labour Council group unanimously supported a Liberal Democrat amendment to a motion at the Full Council meeting on 16 th July 2007. Lib Dems believed that the Labour motion did not go far enough to ensure full consultation of local residents, on issues such as relocation of services and the provision of transport provision to new health care facilities, would be carried out.

Carolyn Baker, Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, comments:

"We welcomed the Labour motion, but felt it didn't go far enough. We want the Council to set out concrete proposals to the PCT for consultation with local people. We want to see all people being properly consulted over the potential relocation of their GP practise at a polyclinic. We also want to see detailed consultation with local people over the relocation of every service at St. Ann's that serves a local need. In addition, we wish the Council to urge the PCT to consult with relevant bodies over transport provision to any new health care centres and to ensure that where it is not possible for people in need to reach medical care individually, care is provided in the home or transport arranged by the facility. We welcome the fact that the Labour Council decided to agree with our points and that the Council could act unanimously over this issue."

ENDS

Note to editors:

Labour motion

"This Council notes the contents of the Annual Health Survey and the need to improve health services in the borough. It calls upon the PCT to ensure that the forthcoming primary care strategy meets the needs of the people of Haringey, especially in parts of the borough currently not well served. This Council shares the concerns of many in the local community who want locally accessible health services, and will fight to ensure that in any redevelopment of St Ann's Hospital its health facilities are retained or reprovided in an improved way with full consultation and mutual agreement."

· Lib Dem amendment

Insert at end after "full consultation and mutual agreement" in paragraph 3

"In particular this Council calls upon the PCT to ensure that there is full and proper consultation, with all patients registered at each practise, over the relocation of each individual GP practise to a polyclinic on a practise by practise basis, if this aspect of the Health Strategy is approved in forthcoming consultations.

In addition, the PCT must undertake to consult, through appropriate channels, what transport changes may be necessary to ensure that all patients can reach local health services, and ensure that where this is not possible health services are provided in the home or transport provided by the health facility."