Jude Robinson, Labour candidate for Camborne & Redruth has welcomed the news that Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham has referred the decision over the transfer of UGI cancer surgery for an independent review.  The move was approved by Lib Dems at Cornwall Council almost two years ago but proved very controversial and campaigners are very angry at the way public accountability was bypassed by the Lib Dems. 

The letter from Andy Burnham, Labour Health Secretary, is attached here 

Jude said: "Sadly, this has undermined confidence in the NHS but the real problem was the complete inability of Lib Dem administration to make sure that the decision was made in an open and accountable way. 

"I welcome the news that the concerns will be fully investigated but more than anything, I hope that patients will be reassured that decisions in the future will be made in their interests to provide the best possible health care." 

The Lib Dem cabinet at Cornwall County Council approved the decision to transfer UGI surgery to Plymouth more than two years ago, with gynaecological, plus head and neck surgery.  The move only affects a limited number of complex cases. 

The decision was rubber stamped twice by the Scrutiny Committee, also dominated by Lib Dems but after a public outcry the decision was reconsidered and a full public consultation promised.   This did not happen,although the Primary Care Trust launched a public engagement exercise to inform the public of the transfer and the Scrutiny Committee again approved the decision. 

The Lib Dems lost control of the County Council in June 2009 and the coalition of Independents and Tories at County Hall declined to discuss the issue at their Health Scrutiny meeting in October.  Devon County Council, however, referred the transfer of their UGI service to the Secretary of State for Health and Cornwall quickly followed suit. 

Since then, Cornwall has been awarded the chance to provide regional gynaecological cancer surgery at Treliske.