Ann's report back

Notes on Meeting, 15 July 2005, Portsmouth City PCT.
Fifteen minutes were allowed for discussion of questions submitted by the public. There were 3 anti-fluoridation questions and none pro F.
The fluoridation question was dealt with very briefly because the committee had not yet discussed whether they wanted to go for a ‘consultation’. Mr Edmondson Jones said that he would make every effort to put both sides of the case before the committee when decision time came.

At this stage the chair asked if any of the question authors were present. I introduced myself and said I was delighted that both sides of the fluoridation issue were to be given but I wondered where he would look for information about the anti-case.
After the meeting Mr Paul Edmondson Jones stayed behind to talk to us. He said that the earliest the subject could come up was at their November Meeting and it might well be postponed until 2006. Apparently all of the Hampshire PCTs will be holding meetings to decide what to do at about the same time. It will be a majority decision and those against will have to fall in line should most opt for fluoridation. He said there were many strong and conflicting opinions in both the Southampton and Portsmouth PCTs
He said he wanted as full a discussion of the matter as possible and a presentation of 30-45 minutes would be set up to inform the committee of the pros and cons. As we were the most persistent objectors he would use us as his information source and invited me, or any other speaker of our choice, to address the committee. Stella Saunders would be in attendance too.
He reiterated that the final regulations for implementing the ‘consultation’ were not yet in place.