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Decision due on fluoride in water NHS agrees flouride in tap water
(about 2 hours later)
Health bosses in Southampton who are to decide if fluoride should be added to tap water have been met by protesters. Fluoride will be added to tap water in Southampton after health bosses voted through the plans despite protests.
The idea has proved controversial with a public consultation attracting more than 10,000 responses. It is the first time health trusts, rather than water companies, have been allowed to request an increase in fluoridation under new laws.
The city council is in favour but Hampshire County Council is against the plan, which is designed to cut tooth decay and will affect 200,000 people. The idea has proved controversial with 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public consultation opposing the plan.
The South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) will make a decision on Thursday. But despite the opposition the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) unanimously backed the move.
The decision follows a three month consultation and it will be the first of its kind since the law changed to allow health trusts - rather than water companies - to request an increase in fluoridation. Southampton City Council was in favour but Hampshire County Council was against the plan, which is designed to cut tooth decay and which will affect 200,000 people.
Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) wants to increase levels of fluoride from 0.08 part to 1 part per million. 'Negative effects'
More research needed Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) will now be allowed to instruct Southern Water to increase levels of fluoride from 0.08 part to 1 part per million.
It said more than 40% of children in the area were suffering from tooth decay and the increase was desperately needed. The PCT said more than 40% of children in the area were suffering from tooth decay and the increase was desperately needed.
More than 520 children in the city needed a general anaesthetic to have a total of 2,900 teeth extracted in 2007, the trust said.More than 520 children in the city needed a general anaesthetic to have a total of 2,900 teeth extracted in 2007, the trust said.
The SCSHA said the problem of tooth decay among children and adults in Southampton was worse than the national average across England, despite a number of public health measures that have already been adopted in the city.The SCSHA said the problem of tooth decay among children and adults in Southampton was worse than the national average across England, despite a number of public health measures that have already been adopted in the city.
But county councillors have concluded that more research and reassurances were needed before Southampton City PCT takes further steps to implement the plan. But opponents claim fluoride has negative effects on the body.
Opponents claim fluoride has negative effects on the body. John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said earlier: "We are aware that some members of the SCSHA board and others still seem to be pushing hard for water fluoridation despite the weight of scientific evidence against it and a clear vote against fluoridation by those who would be affected in the Southampton area.
John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said: "We are aware that some members of the SCSHA board and others still seem to be pushing hard for water fluoridation despite the weight of scientific evidence against it and a clear vote against fluoridation by those who would be affected in the Southampton area.
"They seem to be simply following political orders to fluoridate no matter what."They seem to be simply following political orders to fluoridate no matter what.
"To quote Albert Einstein: 'Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it'.""To quote Albert Einstein: 'Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it'."