DAKERS CALLS ON HOUNSLOW NHS TO EXPLAIN CLOSURE OF RESPECTED COUNSELLING SERVICE

Published in Focus on Brentford on Thu 8th Jun 2006

As part of a Hounslow Primary Care Trust (PCT) re-tendering exercise shrouded in mystery, Hounslow's Brief Intervention and Counselling Service (BICS) has lost its contract and now faces closure. The service is run by West London Mental Health Trust and is very highly respected by patients and local GPs. Local doctors are furious at the changes, which neither they nor patients were consulted on.

Andrew Dakers has demanded an explanation from the Primary Care Trust, which has so far provided no satisfactory response to his letters. Andrew is now escalating the matter to higher authorities in the NHS for scrutiny.

Andrew commented: "Transparency, openness and consultation seem to be alien concepts to Hounslow PCT. They have provided no explanation to GPs and the community as to how patient care will not be compromised if Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is no longer available. It is time the truth comes out as the way the PCT has handled the situation is undermining public confidence and potentially risking lives."