PATIENT watchdog Frank Clifford has hit back at a health boss who defended secrecy in meningitis cases.

The Burnley Community Health Council chairman has renewed his call for the East Lancashire Health Authority to be more open when the deadly virus strikes.

He said communicable disease specialist Dr Roberta Marshall was wrong in refusing to provide details of the age, sex, home town or hospital in which a victim was being treated.

And he described as "nonsense" criticism of his stance by authority chief executive Richard Crail who claimed it would breach patient confidentiality.

Coun Clifford said: "Mr Crail was present at the meeting when I made the statement.

"There was never any question of calling for the identity of a child with meningitis to be released.

"I believe the authority is taking secrecy to ludicrous lengths on a matter of great public interest .

"It only admits there is a case if the press makes a specific inquiry.

"Even then it will only confirm a case exists somewhere in East Lancashire, involving someone of unspecified age or sex, being treated at a hospital somewhere in England. It is ridiculous."

"The authority is missing the opportunity to underline the need for vigilance. The public has the right to know of these cases," he added.

Coun Clifford was speaking after the second meningitis case at the same Burnley nursery within a month.

He also slammed the authority's 'secrecy' over a Burnley and Pendle salmonella outbreak affecting more than 20 people some months ago.

"They issued a statement when it was all over and when it became clear that I would tell the public if they didn't.

"Again I believe the public had a right to know," he said.

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