This call comes hot on the heels of DR Howard Freeman’s decision to stand down as Chair of Merton Clinical Commissioning Group. Council Leader for Merton, Councillor Stephen Alambritis had urged Dr Freeman to quit due to his support for plans to cut local health services.
A draft strategy from newly formed South West London Collaborative Commissioning (SWLCC) predicted budget a shortfall of £210m over the next five years. It would be shared between clinical commissioning groups working in Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth, Croydon, Kingston and Richmond. Ms Brothers said:
“I would be pleased to work alongside Dr Brendan Hudson if he is prepared to back St Helier’s A&E, maternity, renal and children’s services. If he is not willing to give that commitment, the honourable thing would be to step down.
“I appreciate that former Lib Dem Councillor, Brendan Hudson has to apply the law and policy of the government. Yet on the other hand, doing just that can be untenable when you don’t agree with it.