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| NHS force city flouride increase | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Fluoride will be added to tap water in Southampton after health bosses voted through the plans despite protests. | Fluoride will be added to tap water in Southampton after health bosses voted through the plans despite protests. |
| It is the first time a health trust in England, rather than water companies, has been allowed to introduce fluoridation under new laws. | |
| The idea has proved controversial with 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public consultation opposing the plan. | The idea has proved controversial with 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public consultation opposing the plan. |
| But despite the opposition the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) unanimously backed the move. | But despite the opposition the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) unanimously backed the move. |
| 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 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. |
| 'Negative effects' | 'Negative effects' |
| 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. | 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. |
| The PCT 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. |
| Bob Deans, chief executive for the PCT, said: "We are very pleased that following an extensive public consultation, SCSHA has decided to introduce a water fluoridation scheme. | |
| "We continue to believe that a water fluoridation scheme, when introduced with continued oral health promotion, will be the most effective way of reducing the large numbers of tooth fillings and extractions currently needed by children in Southampton." | |
| 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 opponents claim fluoride has negative effects on the body and vowed to contest the decision in the courts. | |
| John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said earlier: "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'." |