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Community hospital 'promise' row Community hospital 'promise' row
(about 4 hours later)
A government pledge to build 50 community hospitals has come under scrutiny after figures revealed only four projects have been agreed.A government pledge to build 50 community hospitals has come under scrutiny after figures revealed only four projects have been agreed.
Ministers promised £750m to build or refurbish community hospitals to treat patients in England closer to home.Ministers promised £750m to build or refurbish community hospitals to treat patients in England closer to home.
But, in an answer to a parliamentary question from the Conservatives, Health Minister Andy Burnham said there was no target for the number to be funded.But, in an answer to a parliamentary question from the Conservatives, Health Minister Andy Burnham said there was no target for the number to be funded.
Existing community hospitals are also being hit by NHS cuts, say campaigners.Existing community hospitals are also being hit by NHS cuts, say campaigners.
The government unveiled proposals in a white paper last year to make NHS care in England more accessible by shifting services from hospitals into the community.The government unveiled proposals in a white paper last year to make NHS care in England more accessible by shifting services from hospitals into the community.
Labour promised 50 new community hospitals at the last election. Since then they have closed at least five and funded one Andrew LansleyLabour promised 50 new community hospitals at the last election. Since then they have closed at least five and funded one Andrew Lansley
A new generation of community facilities would provide respite and intermediate care alongside minor surgery and GP services, they announced.A new generation of community facilities would provide respite and intermediate care alongside minor surgery and GP services, they announced.
The proposals followed an election pledge from Labour to fund at least 50 new hospitals over the next five years.The proposals followed an election pledge from Labour to fund at least 50 new hospitals over the next five years.
But in answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Conservative MP Tony Baldry on the number that had go-ahead.But in answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Conservative MP Tony Baldry on the number that had go-ahead.
'No target''No target'
"There is no target for the number of community hospitals we intend to fund," he said."There is no target for the number of community hospitals we intend to fund," he said.
"The intention is to utilise the £750m capital investment fund announced last July to fund the development and refurbishment of as many community hospitals and facilities as possible.""The intention is to utilise the £750m capital investment fund announced last July to fund the development and refurbishment of as many community hospitals and facilities as possible."
To date projects in Sunderland, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset have been funded with £44.5m.To date projects in Sunderland, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset have been funded with £44.5m.
One of those is a hospital, while the other three are community health centres.One of those is a hospital, while the other three are community health centres.
Mr Burnham added more would be announced in the spring, and said that altogether 10 proposals from PCTs had been received to date.Mr Burnham added more would be announced in the spring, and said that altogether 10 proposals from PCTs had been received to date.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour promised 50 new community hospitals at the last election. Since then they have closed at least five and funded one."Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour promised 50 new community hospitals at the last election. Since then they have closed at least five and funded one."
According to figures from community hospital campaigners Chant (Community Hospitals Acting Nationally Together) 79 existing hospitals are under threat, 22 have closed and 47 are under review.According to figures from community hospital campaigners Chant (Community Hospitals Acting Nationally Together) 79 existing hospitals are under threat, 22 have closed and 47 are under review.
CHANT chairman, Graham Stuart, MP, said, "This is more disappointing news for community hospitals. Not only is the pace of closures increasing but even the new facilities promised in the Government's manifesto are to be dropped.CHANT chairman, Graham Stuart, MP, said, "This is more disappointing news for community hospitals. Not only is the pace of closures increasing but even the new facilities promised in the Government's manifesto are to be dropped.
"Research shows that community hospitals provide a better therapeutic environment than acute hospitals, are more highly appreciated by their patients and when properly managed by PCTs, offer value for money.""Research shows that community hospitals provide a better therapeutic environment than acute hospitals, are more highly appreciated by their patients and when properly managed by PCTs, offer value for money."
Howard Catton, head of policy at the Royal College of Nursing said nurses would be "extremely concerned" at the news that planned community hospitals weren't going to happen.
"Because the government has committed very publically to the NHS hitting balance, people will be concerned that short-term decisions may disadvantage long-term moves to bring care closer to home."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said no plans had been shelved.A spokesperson for the Department of Health said no plans had been shelved.
"These four schemes are just the first wave in the £750m, five year programme and represent an excellent start."These four schemes are just the first wave in the £750m, five year programme and represent an excellent start.
"These four new facilities alone will deliver around 25,000 medical tests, treat 30,000 minor injuries and handle 20,000 outpatient appointments every year in a major shift of care into community settings.""These four new facilities alone will deliver around 25,000 medical tests, treat 30,000 minor injuries and handle 20,000 outpatient appointments every year in a major shift of care into community settings."