What the media says about me...

"Gordon Prentice, lean and livid, led the tribunal like a latterday Robespierre. He was perfectly polite but suggested that Sir Hayden was a credulous, bumbling, time-serving, unreliable message boy."

Simon Carr, The Independent. March 2010

Minister Issues Health Warning Over Lib-Dem Dossier

Tags: NHS | Press Release

Wednesday, 14 May 2008 00:00

Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, has revealed that the local NHS has received the “dossier of problems” put together and widely publicised by the Liberal Democrats in the run up to the local elections earlier this month. The MP said today that Health Minister, Ann Keen, had written to him about the controversial document. The letter reads: “NHS North West has confirmed that East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has analysed the “dossier of problems” recently compiled by the Liberal Democrats. I understand that the document contains the assertion that "no claim is made that this dossier is complete, thorough or well researched". Around half of the allegations were unrelated to Meeting Patients’ Needs and service changes. The Trust has found that 35 of the 42 allegations are unsubstantiated but will be investigating the other allegations.” Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: “People with complaints about their NHS treatment should approach the NHS in the first instance or, if needs be, contact their Member of Parliament.” The MP added: “There are issues still to be addressed following the big changes to the local NHS last November. It is right that concerns should be aired and dealt with, but in a measured, not hysterical, way. I am asking the Local Medical Committee, local GPs and others involved in the local NHS to make their views known. The Lancashire County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee is monitoring things and is looking at how the reconfiguration of hospital services is working in practice.”