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Trust Refuses To Attend Meeting “. . . the Trust is not willing to participate in a public meeting” In a blistering display of arrogance North Tees and Hartlepool Hospital Trust has refused to participate in a public meeting organised so the public can ask questions over the future of health services in the town. The letter, written by the £50,000 a year, part-time Trust Chairman, Paul Gavin, has been received by Hartlepool Borough Council Chairman in response to a request for the Trust to arrange to attend such a meeting on a date earlier than the October 17th date previously offered by the Trust. In a letter to all Councillors, Cllr Richardson has said: “Dear fellow Councillor, I felt I needed to inform you of a letter I have received from the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which states that they are not willing to participate in a public meeting in relation to the A & E Unit and the new alternative arrangements in place. I must say I find this incredible coming from a public organisation, and therefore I am no longer prepared to wait for them to get their act together. I think the attached letter gives us a hint of what they feel about public meetings therefore I am re-convening the adjourned Extraordinary Council meeting for Thursday 29th September at 8pm. This will follow the Public Meeting which will take place at 6pm which will be attended by NHS Hartlepool who have been fully cooperative throughout. Both meetings will take place at the College of Further Education. “ Regards Carl Richardson Chairman of Hartlepool Borough Council Public Meeting 29th September 2011 6pm Followed By Extraordinary Council Meeting at 8pm Hartlepool College of Further Education