Lib Dem Leader Neil Williams says the Labour Government is attempting to draw a veil over controversial plans to ‘rationalise’ vital maternity and children’s accident and emergency services in the North London area.

Cllr Williams says that Labour has postponed the controversial plans amidst fear of a backlash from north London’s voters in the run up to a possible general election next spring.

The local health service began a consultation process on the possible changes last year but this has now ground to a halt. According to an email leaked to The Guardian newspaper and reported last week, the Chief Executive of Islington primary care trust, said:

“The Department of Health has indicated that a negative (public reaction) prior to a general election would not be acceptable.”

Neil Williams says that local people are having the impact of these changes concealed from them until after the general election. The plans involve concentrating children’s and maternity services at fewer sites in the five boroughs in the North London area, instead of the present spread of services across six north London hospitals. Cllr Williams says that children’s A&E services at certain sites could therefore close, and full reassurances must be given before any ‘rationalisation’ plan.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Neil Williams comments:

“By postponing this consultation it is now absolutely clear that Labour are keeping local residents in the dark about their plans for the NHS in the area. They do not want people to know about how these changes might effect Haringey patients. Parents may have to travel longer distances to take their kids to A&E, and would this be as safe in an emergency situation?

“Even the current Labour Lead Member for Health and Social Services expressed concern about these plans when they came to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee Last year. However Labour is now attempting to sweep the whole issue under the carpet until after the general election.”