Norfolk: Quango red tape threatens local therapy centre

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Jun 2007

Burdensome bureaucracy brought in by a Government quango will 'bleed a vital therapy lifeline dry', a local councillor has warned today. Jacky Howe, who is health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats at Norfolk County Council, has called for urgent action to be taken to protect a Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centre at Chedgrave, after learning that inspection fees, and increasing amounts of paperwork, might starve it of funding.

Mrs Howe, who is County Councillor for Melton Constable, stated:

"Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres offer vital assistance to people with multiple sclerosis by providing a wide range of drug-free symptom management therapies, advice and support for those with the illness and also their families. They are non-profit making charities, and the Healthcare Commission's decision to impose charges for their inspection will make these centres the only non-profit making bodies charged such fees. This is a shocking way to reward a charity which works extremely hard to offer relief to thousands of vulnerable people across the country. If something isn't done immediately to overturn this decision, I am afraid that the centre at Chedgrave may simply go under."

Mrs Howe was alerted to the threat by fellow Lib Dem councillor, Paul Morse, who has been working with concerned Norfolk residents to try and draw more public attention to the issue. Mr Mike May, who receives regular treatment at the Chedgrave Centre, is vehement that the centre must be protected. He says:

"I receive hope and strength from attending the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Centre on a weekly basis. I am absolutely in no doubt that my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms are alleviated by the treatment I receive."

Mrs Pauline Jenkins, who lives in Mr Morse's electoral division of North Walsham, pays similar tribute to the Centre's work:

"The pain and discomfort associated with the form of Multiple Sclerosis I suffer from are definitely relieved by treatment at the Chedgrave Multiple Sclerosis Centre."

In response to these concerns, the Liberal Democrats will ask Norfolk County Council on Friday to agree to call on the Government to review the Healthcare Commission's decision on inspection charges, and to write to all Norfolk MPs to request their support.

Cllr Howe concluded:

"The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Centre at Chedgrave does such important work for our community, and I sincerely hope that the rest of the councillors at Norfolk County Council will support the Liberal Democrats in calling for action to save it. The Government has already made Multiple Sclerosis Centres in Wales exempt from these inspection charges. I think it is only fair that charities in England get the same treatment."

ENDS

Notes for the editor:

1. This news release has been sent to you by the Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrat group. The Liberal Democrats are the second opposition party at Norfolk County Council, which is led by a Conservative administration.

2. The Liberal Democrats will present a motion to Full Council on Friday 29 June to ask for its support in protecting the Multiple Sclerosis Centre at Chedgrave. For the full wording of the motion and for more details about the Council meeting please go to:

http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/agenda/council290607agendapdf.pdf

3. For comment from individuals quoted in the news release:

Mr Mike May - please contact via the Chedgrave Treatment Centre (01508 528542)

Mrs Pauline Jenkins - 01692 402519