From Hampshire Against Fluoridation

**NEWS RELEASE**
For Immediate release
From Hampshire Against Fluoridation
Contact: John Spottiswoode
Tel: 02380 789230
Mobile: 07796 056763
Email: john.spottiswoode@btinternet.com
Objections to Health Authority secrecy over fluoridation plans

John Spottiswoode, of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, has made a formal complaint to South Central Strategic Health Authority over:

Their refusal to release a technical report on the feasibility of water fluoridation in our area. This report was requested under the Freedom of Information Act provisions back in June 2007, and despite it having been available for nearly a year and it being in the public interest to release this document, the SHA have so far refused.
Their refusal to let us present the opposition case to water fluoridation to the SHA Board.

John Spottiswoode has also formally raised a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commissioner over South Central Strategic Health Authority’s refusal to divulge the technical feasibility report on water fluoridation.

This follows on from the SHA’s bland answer to Caroline Lucas MEP’s letter raising fully justified concerns about water fluoridation, showing a refusal even to give an informative answer to our elected MEP (Notes 1 & 2)

John Spottiswoode, Hampshire Against Fluoridation Chairman and spokesman in Southampton said: “This is unacceptable secrecy over an issue that is of great public interest and concern. The fact that South Central SHA has sat on the report for nearly a year without letting anyone else see it is just unacceptable.”

“I am afraid that this all smacks of an arrogant assumption that ‘the SHGA knows best’ and they should not tell the public what is going on behind their closed doors, a refusal to listen to the opposition to water fluoridation and undermines confidence in public health making processes.”

ENDS