Liberal Democrat councillors have placed the blame for the £14 million cuts package being introduced by Lewisham Primary Care Trust (PCT) firmly with the Labour Government. The latest cuts package, revealed to councillors last week, includes restricting elective surgery and outpatient activity and cutting sedation dentistry for Lewisham patients at Kings College Hospital.

These cuts follow changes in the coronary recovery programme introduction earlier in the summer.

Councillor Dave Edgerton, Liberal Democrat member of Lewisham's Health Scrutiny Committee, said, "We are unhappy that the PCT has had to introduce three separate rounds of cuts during this financial year and we do not believe they are consulting local people properly."

Councillors agreed to write to the London Strategic Health Authority, who demanded the three rounds of cuts, complaining that it was unreasonable to demand cuts in the middle of the financial year. Councillors have requested the PCT return to the Council with more information about their consultation.

Councillor Chris Maines, another Liberal Democrat member of the Health Scrutiny Committee, said, "The fact is the Government have told the Strategy Health Authority to cut £70 million off health care across London, and Lewisham is having to find its share regardless of local need and circumstances."

The PCT plans to stop treatments for one month during March so it can pay bills next year. They also plan to restrict payment to Kings College Hospital by 50% for sedation work . This will be an emergency response to the latest demand to cut its budget.