Re the Kingston NHS Cuts report in last week's Surrey Comet.

Edward Davey MP likes to give the impression that it is thanks to him that Kingston Primary Care Trust has relented in its proposal to move the Fuchsias patients into care homes.

I would like to put the record straight. Credit should be given to whom it rightfully belongs, and that is to the relatives of the patients. We, the Conservative Group, have worked with and supported the relatives for many weeks in their stalwart efforts to retain specialized continuing care for their loved ones in Fuchsias Ward.

Thanks also should go to Lisa Williams for bringing this proposal to the attention of the public. Even though the relatives were told over a month ago (long before Mr Davey obtained his information) that the patients would not be removed, we continue to campaign to keep Fuchsias open for future dementia patients with high level needs.

With the relatives and the public's help our petition has raised over 2,000 signatures. If Mr Davey is now showing his objections to proposed mental health service closures for the elderly in the borough, perhaps he would answer this question: Why did he not object and support the elderly and disabled when his own Lib Dem council made the decisions to close down their day centre at Hobkirk House, and also withdraw preventative health care by cutting the eligibility criteria?

Councillor Mary Clarke
Conservative Group