NHS reforms

Health groups support hospital closures

Further health groups, professionals and authorities have supported the idea that there are currently too many hospitals, and some must be shut down.

Yesterday, former NHS chief executive Lord Crisp recommended in an interview that some hospitals needed to close to ensure sufficient funds can be directed to provide best care and service, especially for the ageing population and those with long-term conditions and the challenges that this will bring.

Mike Hobday, Head of Policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “More community care would enable more hospital beds and wards to close, and would lead to better quality care, costing less money. We’d love to see the political will to make the decision to move more end of life care into the community and into patients’ homes.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “In a modern NHS, not all patients need to go to hospital to get treatment. More and more services are provided in the community or even at home, which is what many people want.

“Hospitals will still have an important role in treating patients, but the important thing is that the right services are available in the right place and that the NHS is able to fit around its patients - not expect patients to fit around the NHS.

“Any service reconfigurations will be subject to four tests. They must be supported by GP commissioners; strengthen public and patient engagement; there must be clear clinical evidence supporting the reconfiguration; and the change must not limit current and prospective patient choice.

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]