Southampton accused of illegality over fluoride decision

A hearing in the High Court currently under way is considering whether a health authority tried to illegally force the fluoridation of Southampton’s water. A resident, Ms Geraldine Milner, is taking legal action to challenge the decision made in 2009 by the South Central Strategic Health Authority, which considers that the decision will improve dental health in its area, despite a public consultation showing that 72 per cent of the population who responded opposed the idea. The judicial review will consider whether the Health Authority properly considered the views, but does not concern the merits and health arguments over fluoridation.