Haringey Liberal Democrats have revealed that Tottenham MP David Lammy, who is also a health minister, has been criticised by an influential think-tank over delays in announcing arrangements for the oversight of local health services following the abolition of Community Health Councils (CHCs).

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Social Services and Health, Cllr Ron Aitken, is calling for an urgent statement from the Tottenham MP on the issue. Haringey CHC will hold its final meeting on June 10th but as yet Mr Lammy has still not made a statement setting out funding for local councils to scrutinise health services.

In a policy briefing on the Department of Health guidance on the new local authority powers to oversee the NHS, the Democratic Health Network (DHN), part of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), states:

“It is disappointing, however, that there has not yet been any announcement about additional resources to support health scrutiny committees. The Health Minister, David Lammy, announced some weeks ago that he would be making a statement on this subject, but this has not happened.”

Cllr Aitken (Crouch End) comments:

“It is ironic that the Government has abolished watchdog Community Health Councils and now expects councils like Haringey, which were heavily criticised along with health services over the Victoria Climbie case, to stand up for patients. Without proper funding this oversight will be a sham, and David Lammy is the minister responsible.”