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Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has slammed the conduct of the public
consultation about changes to maternity services.
In
his official Response to the “Fit for the Future" consultation, he
talked about the consultation process being “deeply flawed in a
variety of ways". He also alleged: “Option 5 put forward by the
campaign has throughout been treated with some disdain by the NHS
authorities …. The key point is that my constituents have not been
able to consider Option 5 on equal terms with options 1-4. “
The
local MP also commented: “I strongly suspect that the responses you
will have had by the close of the consultation will be overwhelmingly
in favour of Option 5." And he called upon the PCT to publish an
analysis of the responses in the near future.
Mr
Waterson asked what weight will be given to public opinion at the end
of the day. He quoted an unnamed NHS representative who recently said
that this was “not a referendum". Mr Waterson said: “If so, I have to
question the value of a public consultation at all."
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