HEWITT - 'NO PLANS TO VISIT MAUDSLEY'

12.00.00pm GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

The Liberal Democrat Health Chief in Southwark has said that she is dismayed that Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has refused to visit the Maudsley Emergency Clinic before it closes.

Cllr Denise Capstick was talking to Patricia Hewitt during a visit to Lomand house, a centre for older people in Camberwell.

"I think it is outrageous that Patricia Hewitt is intent on closing the excellent Maudsley Emergency Clinic without ever going there to see the wonderful service it provides," said Cllr Denise Capstick, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Health and Adult Care.

"Today she came to Southwark to visit another fine facility in the borough, and I welcome that. But people are rightly asking how she can find the time for this but not to visit the Maudsley when she has signed its death warrant."

"I took the chance to ask her to come to the Maudsley Clinic but she said that she would not be doing so. I think that her behaviour towards the Maudsley Clinic and its users is totally insensitive."