NHS BOSSES REFUSES TO MEET DELEGATION TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF THE HENDERSON

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Jun 2008

Local MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake have expressed their surprise and disappointment that the Chief Executive of SW London and St Georges Mental Health Trust, Peter Houghton, has refused to meet with them and a delegation of ex-residents of the Henderson.

The two MPs had arranged to meet with Mr Houghton on Wednesday (11th June) along with a cross party and ex-residents delegation to discuss the future of the Henderson hospital. The hospital has already been closed on a temporary basis pending the outcome of a major consultation on services for people with personality disorder later this year.

Commenting Paul Burstow MP said: "I am disappointed that Mr Houghton has refused to meet with those with the most direct experience of what losing the Henderson will mean. We wanted the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue about the future of residential based personality disorder services.

"I hope that on reflection Mr Houghton will agree to meet us and a new date can be set.

Tom Brake MP added: "Refusing to meet us sends a really bad message. Our delegation deserves to be heard and I hope that Mr Houghton will have a change of heart. The future of personality disorder services is too important for a senior NHS manager to turn down a meeting in this way."

ENDS