SECRETARY of State for Health Alan Milburn has sparked fury in Alton over the apparent hypocrisy of a consultation exercise which is seeking public input into the future running of the NHS and yet has failed to listen.
This sudden show of democracy comes at a highly sensitive time for local campaigners, who have waited months for Mr Milburn's response on the future of Alton's Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital.
A full version of this story will be found in the Alton Herald of June 9, 2000.