Hopes that former Minister and local MP Barbara Roche would use her new found freedom to stand up for local health services received a blow, when Mrs Roche voted in favour of the Government’s controversial plans for foundation hospitals.

The move grants foundation status to 28 NHS trusts, but leaves local trusts, such as the Whittington and the Royal Free, out in the cold.The Lib Dems say that Mrs Roche should have opposed the move, especially as, following her sacking from the Government, she is now a backbencher.

With the lowest ever majority for the Blair Government of just 35 votes, over 60 Labour MPs defied their own party, with neighbouring North London MPs Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) and Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Highgate) among those who voted against the plans.

Lib Dem Health spokesperson Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate) comments:

“This is very disappointing, as it leaves local ‘two star’ trusts such as the Whittington out in the cold, while other hospitals, not in our area, will have a bogus elite status conferred upon them. I’m very disappointed that our MP didn’t oppose this change, which is bad news for health services in Haringey.”