Howarth challenges health quango to meeting on mental health cuts

2.08.01pm GMT Thu 17th Nov 2005

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, has today challenged the Strategic Health Authority to a meeting to discuss the end of referrals to the Young People's Psychiatric Service two months before the end of the consultation period.

Mr. Howarth's challenge follows Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA's refusal to speak to Radio 4's PM show yesterday.

Commenting, Mr. Howarth said:

"Decisions that affect health-care in Cambridgeshire are being taken by these unelected and unaccountable quangos. By refusing to discuss their decisions in public, the SHA are hiding behind their unaccountability and are failing the people of Cambridge.

"I will be writing to the SHA to invite them to a meeting to discuss both the proposed £4M budget cut in mental health services in Cambridgeshire and preemptively ending referrals to the Young People's Psychiatric Service."