Councillors blast Johnson gaffe (From Enfield Independent)

Councillors blast Johnson gaffe

10:48am Monday 22nd September 2008

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ANGRY councillors have blasted Health Secretary Alan Johnson for an embarrassing gaffe when he confused Enfield with East Sussex.

In a highly sensitive letter over the decision to downgrade services at Chase Farm Hospital, sent to David Burrowes MP early this month, Mr Johnson referred to "sustainable and accessible maternity services in East Sussex".

He also refers to the chair of the "East Sussex Health and Overview and Scrutiny Committee" - instead of the Joint Scrutiny Panel which looked at the downgrade plans.

Ann-Marie Pearce, Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Panel, said: "This letter is a disgrace. It seems to be some kind of cut and paste affair, which was done with no thought or care. If Alan Johnson doesn't even know where Enfield is, how can he make such an important decision?.

"It's up to us to put Chase Farm back on the map."

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