Battle of NHS survey

Tory councillor Glenn Miller says the council should investigate NHS issues such as alleged lack of beds, poor performance and unfair priorities.

But Andy Mudd, one of his Labour opponents on Bradford council, has refused to open an inquiry.

He has accused Cllr Miller of trying to use a council meeting as a platform for "hysterical" Tory opposition to Government policies.

The two councillors serve on the council's new external scrutiny committee which looks into some decisions made by the ruling executive.

The scrutiny committee, chaired by Cllr Mudd, can also initiate commissions of inquiry on matters of concern raised by the public.

Cllr Miller believes the NHS is a suitable subject for inquiry because the council provides funding for several health-related projects.

He says Bradford councillors also serve on NHS trusts and the council works in partnership with the new primary care groups.

Cllr Miller is particularly concerned about recent allegations that drug addicts receive medical treatment ahead of cancer sufferers.

Cllr Mudd, in reply to a letter from Cllr Miller, says he has put some thought to the request but did not want to see the committee used as a plaform for politicking.

Cllr Mudd wrote: "The current attempts by the Tory leadership to exploit the flu epidemic are little short of disgraceful given the previous government's record on health while in office.

"There are some real issues to address in relation to the health of the Bradford district which I am sure we will not want to look at at some point.

"I do not, however, believe this can be done properly in the current climate of anti-NHS hysteria created by your party.

"My wish is to work with health care providers and other relevant bodies in a constructive fashion. Your approach seems to be somewhat more hostile."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.