Following our Board meeting today we are therefore issuing the following statement:
· The event on 17th July is being Chaired and managed by David Williams, Vice-Chair Healthwatch Sutton.
· Healthwatch Sutton has been clear, from the outset of the planning of this meeting, that it wishes to maintain a balanced a-political position in relation to any possible changes to local services. As yet, Healthwatch Sutton has not formally consulted local people about the future of health services in Sutton and as such is not able to represent local people from any particular stand point. We would need more information before starting a consultation with our members and the public on the future of health services in Sutton.
· Healthwatch Sutton is a small charity with limited funding and resources and accepted an offer of administrative support from the office of Tom Brake in order that this event could go ahead to inform local people. Healthwatch have led all decision-making surrounding the meeting including the composition of the panel and the method of question selection.
· The questions that have been submitted will be selected exclusively by Healthwatch Sutton with no involvement in the selection process from any other groups/individuals.
· The intention of the event is to allow local people to ask questions of key NHS and local authority representatives alongside the two local MPs.
· The MPs are present on the panel as they are the elected representatives from both Sutton electoral wards (i.e. Carshalton and Wallington, and Sutton, Cheam and Worchester Park). The London Borough of Sutton nominated Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of the Council, as their representative in response to Healthwatch Sutton’s request for a senior spokesperson to attend.
· Healthwatch Sutton has not had any involvement in developing the publicity material created by other organisations or individuals, and such material may not reflect the views of Healthwatch Sutton.