Croydon campaigners fighting Government moves to scrap an independent health watchdog will be protesting at Westminster today.
The borough's Community Health Council (CHC) campaigners will join demonstrators from all over the country outside Parliament to hammer home their fears that the new health bill will rob England of a truly independent watchdog.
They support an amendment by Health Select Committee chairman, David Hinchcliffe MP calling for CHCs to be kept on as the hub of other proposals for patient representation.
“The amendment is already attracting all-party support, and was given fresh impetus with the news last week that the Welsh Assembly has decided to keep it's CHCs,” said Croydon CHC chief officer Peter Walsh.
He added: “Croydon's MPs are very supportive of the Croydon CHC and we are optimistic that they will support the amendment. Wherever any consultation has been allowed on the issue, the conclusion has been to keep CHCs.”
Conservative MP for Croydon South, Richard Ottoway said the Tories are concerned the amendment does not go far enough.
“We would like to keep CHCs on in their present form but believe there is likely to be a lot of compromise on the amendment following consultation.”
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