Liberal Democrats in Haringey have expressed anger and disappointment with Labour Members of the Health and Social Services scrutiny panel after they blocked a move to refer the issue of the closure of Canning Crescent and Kate Marsden Day Hospitals to the Secretary of State for Health.

The committee could have referred the decision – a power given to Scrutiny Panels under the new arrangements for holding local NHS Trusts accountable. Two Liberal Democrat members, Cllr Ron Aitken and Cllr Neil Williams, voted in favour of referral.

The calls for the issue to be referred came after users of the day hospitals expressed anger at the closures and the lack of progress in providing crisis and intervention services, despite promises made last September. The Day Hospitals Campaign published their own minority report on the issue highlighting serious shortcomings in the consultation process and in Haringey’s mental health services.

Lib Dem social services spokesperson, Ron Aitken is deeply concerned by the decision not to refer the matter to the Secretary of State, given the importance of the issue and the controversy surrounding the closures.

Cllr Ron Aitken comments:

“It will be bitterly disappointing for local users of these services that Labour councillors voted to block the opportunity for the issue to be reviewed by the Secretary of State for Health.”