An open letter to Jayne Carroll, of NHS Devon... As you well know from the Local Government and Public Health Act 2007 Section 116, there is a duty to involve the public of Honiton in your decisions to commission services and develop joint service plans w

An open letter to Jayne Carroll, of NHS Devon...

As you well know from the Local Government and Public Health Act 2007 Section 116, there is a duty to involve the public of Honiton in your decisions to commission services and develop joint service plans with Devon County Council for delivery of care.

This means that nothing should be pre-judged and that proper evidence should be available for debate in our councils and public meetings.

In addition there seems to be no evidence of Rural Proofing which is equally legally necessary.

The White Paper Our health, our care, our say, published in 2006, set out clear directives for giving individuals and communities a stronger voice in commissioning local services.

The way you are acting at present may legally contravene all this guidance.

My concern is that plans for maternity and for dementia care in Honiton are being decided without due public consultation, in contradiction, for example, of NHS Framework 2010-15. This guidance specifically mentions national priorities to improve maternity services.

The document Building Britain's Future stresses the need to bring in best practise for maternity and newborn care - with proper involvement of the general public

Continuing Acts of Parliament have cross-party support for involving local people in decisions and in developing measurement of patient satisfaction as well as Best Value.

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment supports these requirements to be acted upon by local authorities and PCTs.

Therefore, I am calling on you to comply with the law and put in place proper discussions with the people of Honiton, Ottery St Mary and the rural areas of East Devon.

Nothing else is acceptable.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting release of any relevant correspondence from January 2007 to date relating to changes being discussed for maternity and other healthcare services in Honiton.

Mike Allen

Town councillor

Honiton