Jude Robinson has called on the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, to intervene in the decision to transfer Cornwall's UGI cancer services to Plymouth, having received a copy of suppressed legal advice to Royal Cornwall Hospitals' Trust that the transfer is 'unlawful' without a public consultation.

Jude said: "It is not in Cornwall's interests that the future of NHS services is 'stitched up' behind closed doors.  It appears that this advice was given to the RCHT Board on August 5 2008 and not acted on.  The Chair of RCHT (Peter Davies) resigned shortly afterwards, the Chief Executive (John Watkinson) was removed and the rest of the Board seem to have sat on their hands and whistled 'Dixie'.  

 

"The Council's Scrutiny Committtee has been fobbed off.   Both Cornwall County and Unitary Councillors seemed unable to ask hard questions or understand that their role is to challenge on behalf of people in Cornwall.

  

Our MPs do not ask the right questions, though no doubt they will express 'concern' at the lastest turn of events.  I'm asking for government intervention because Cornwall deserves better - we have the right to demand openness and accountability from our public servants."

Cornwall Labour Party has expressed its concern about the process behind the decision to transfer the service and asked Jude to contact the Secretary of State about the accountability of the NHS to local people.

Cornwall Labour Party letter here: