PRESS STATEMENT 12th November 2001

has continued to receive extremely critical comments from the public over the apparent inability of the current NHS management team's ability to manage even its own timetable, far less an in-depth study of the needs of the local population. The voluntary campaigning group has today issued the following statement:

"We need a clear statement as to why the review has been delayed again. Surely enough time and public money has been spent on a review process that is not based on population needs? Additionally, Cornwall's Health Authority will be merged with those in Devon next April, and Cornwall's Community Health Council
-the only statutory body with the power to refer proposals for changes in health services direct to the Secretary of State for Health - is due to be abolished at the same time. So just how are the people of Cornwall going to be able to make their concerns heard, and to whom? We understood that the 'bottom up 'approach of the Prime Minister in the NHS Plan was meant to lead to the abolition of remote faceless wonders, not the creation of more."


Co-ordinator: Marna Blundy, 4 Botallack Moor, St Just, PENZANCE, Cornwall TR19 7QH
Tel / Fax 01736 788107
Email: westcornwallhealthwatch@yahoo.co.uk