IK - Lymington Times - Health committee adds call to stop fluoridation

Health committee adds call to stop fluoridation
A COMMITTEE of Hampshire county councillors has added its voice to those fighting an NHS fluoridation scheme which could affect 8,000 Totton residents.
The county's health overview and scrutiny committee agreed to call on South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to drop the plans it controversially approved last year.
Fluoridation was proposed by Southampton City Primary Care Trust and will affect 190,000 people in total and includes Totton because of the layout of the pipes. The committee's decision comes days after the city council voted to demand a referendum.
Committee member Coun. David Harrison said: "The latest development is that Southampton City Council has changed policy and are now of the view that fluoride should not be added to tap water without clear evidence of public consent, through a referendum.
"This effectively removes the last fig leaf of democratic accountability that the SHA could hold onto. All local authorities in the area, all MPs and even the prime minister are saying that the plans should be dropped until there is public consent."
The committee chairman agreed to write to the SHA calling on them to shelve the plans.
Although fluoridation is aimed at tackling child tooth decay, it has sparked health fears and protests about "forced medication" and is being fought in the courts.
During consultation 72% of responses were against fluoridation, but a Mori poll showed a different picture with only 38% opposed against 32% in support. The SHA is also facing a pending judicial review and complaints to the health service ombudsman.