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| NHS forces city to add flouride | NHS forces city to add flouride |
| (about 1 hour 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. | 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. |
| Despite the opposition, the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) unanimously backed the move. | 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. |
| Jim Easton, the SCSHA chief executive, said: "We recognise that water fluoridation is a contentious issue for some people. | Jim Easton, the SCSHA chief executive, said: "We recognise that water fluoridation is a contentious issue for some people. |
| "The board was satisfied that, based on existing research, water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to improve dental health." | "The board was satisfied that, based on existing research, water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to improve dental health." |
| I think it is absolutely disgraceful, they have refused to listen to all the evidence we have given them John Spottiswoode, Hampshire Against Fluoridation | I think it is absolutely disgraceful, they have refused to listen to all the evidence we have given them John Spottiswoode, Hampshire Against Fluoridation |
| The SCSHA will now write to Southern Water instructing the firm to increase levels of fluoride from a natural 0.08 part per million to one part per million. | The SCSHA will now write to Southern Water instructing the firm to increase levels of fluoride from a natural 0.08 part per million to one part per million. |
| The Southampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) said more than 40% of children in the area were suffering from tooth decay and the increase was desperately needed. | The Southampton City Primary Care Trust (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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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: "I think it is absolutely disgraceful, they have refused to listen to all the evidence we have given them. | John Spottiswoode, chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, said: "I think it is absolutely disgraceful, they have refused to listen to all the evidence we have given them. |
| "They have ignored the will of the people - 72% didn't want it and yet they still are going to do it. It is deeply unethical. | "They have ignored the will of the people - 72% didn't want it and yet they still are going to do it. It is deeply unethical. |
| "We think it's illegal and are thinking what we do next, maybe taking it to the courts in Europe." | "We think it's illegal and are thinking what we do next, maybe taking it to the courts in Europe." |
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| Health bosses in Southampton vote to add fluoride to the city's tap water despite protests. |