NHS chiefs in no-show for anti-fluoridation protest letter

Lymington Times
NHS chiefs in no-show for anti-fluoridation protest letter
CAMPAIGNERS against fluoride being added to Totton's water supply have criticised NHS senior executives for not accepting a hand-delivered protest letter.
The open message was brought to the Newbury HQ of South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to mark a year since it approved adding the controversial chemical to water in Southampton and surrounding areas.
Hampshire Against Fluoride (HAF) member Anna Peckham told the 'A&T' she had written to the chair of the 12-strong board in advance of the delivery but was told he was unavailable to receive the document.
It was left with a receptionist
instead, and Mrs Peckham said: "Given that my letter was also sent to the chief executive, I had thought that someone from the SHA board would be prepared to receive it.
"Many feel the SHA has behaved without regard to the local community in imposing water fluoridation [so] this refusal to receive the letter reinforced the feeling that the SHA are simply not listening."
About 190,000 people could be affected by Southampton Primary Care Trust's plan for Southampton and surrounding areas, including 8,000 Totton residents because of the layout of the pipes.
Around 25 HAF members travelled to Newbury on Friday in last week to hand over the letter they said had
been signed by over 100 people including scientists, professors and MPs.
Fluoridation was agreed in February last year by the SHA to combat child tooth decay hi the city and among the anti-fluoride campaigners are New Forest East MP Julian Lewis and town councillor David Harrison.
The SHA is also facing attempts to block fluoridation through a pending judicial review and complaints to ombudsmen.
Sean Humber of Leigh Day Solicitors told the 'A&T' he could not speculate on when the review would take place as he was waiting for a court date to be set.