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Minister signals big NHS change | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Plans for a radical revamp of the NHS in London could provide a blueprint for fundamental change across England. | |
New health minister Sir Ara Darzi, a practising surgeon, says sweeping change is needed for the NHS to meet the demands of modern living. | |
In his London report, he proposes polyclinics - super GP surgeries - to support specialist hospitals, but critics fear hospital closures. | |
Sir Ara is in charge of carrying out a major NHS review for Gordon Brown. | Sir Ara is in charge of carrying out a major NHS review for Gordon Brown. |
He was asked by NHS London, the body responsible for overseeing health trusts in the capital, to carry out a review on the future of healthcare in London. | |
It will act as a guide to London health chiefs who are planning a shake up in services as part of a wider reconfiguration of major hospitals across the country. | It will act as a guide to London health chiefs who are planning a shake up in services as part of a wider reconfiguration of major hospitals across the country. |
This review of services by NHS London is a package of cash-led cuts to local services dressed up as a rational planning process Geoff MartinHealth Emergency | This review of services by NHS London is a package of cash-led cuts to local services dressed up as a rational planning process Geoff MartinHealth Emergency |
London currently has 32 acute trusts - some operating hospitals from several sites - but Sir Ara has recommended complex and specialist care be carried out in fewer hospitals. | London currently has 32 acute trusts - some operating hospitals from several sites - but Sir Ara has recommended complex and specialist care be carried out in fewer hospitals. |
He said some of the hospitals left could pick up non-emergency operations and other non-urgent care. | He said some of the hospitals left could pick up non-emergency operations and other non-urgent care. |
However, these would also face competition from polyclinics under Sir Ara's plan. | However, these would also face competition from polyclinics under Sir Ara's plan. |
The clinics would incorporate a GP service alongside diagnostic tests, social care, mental health services and some minor surgery. | The clinics would incorporate a GP service alongside diagnostic tests, social care, mental health services and some minor surgery. |
They would be equpped with x-ray and ultrasound machines, allowing consultants to run services closer to patients' homes. | |
The review said that by 2017 a network of polyclinics throughout London could provide up to 50% of outpatient treatment currently carried out in hospitals. | The review said that by 2017 a network of polyclinics throughout London could provide up to 50% of outpatient treatment currently carried out in hospitals. |
He also said more care should be carried out at home, including rehabilitation and chemotherapy. | He also said more care should be carried out at home, including rehabilitation and chemotherapy. |
Wider ramifications | Wider ramifications |
Sir Ara said the blueprint would provide better care as evidence suggests specialist centres for serious conditions - such as strokes - save more lives than traditional district general hospital models. | |
And he estimated it would save an estimated £1.5bn a year as it is cheaper to provide care out of hospitals. | And he estimated it would save an estimated £1.5bn a year as it is cheaper to provide care out of hospitals. |
But Geoff Martin, of the union-funded pressure group Health Emergency, said it would pave the way for the closure or downgrading of nine hospitals. | But Geoff Martin, of the union-funded pressure group Health Emergency, said it would pave the way for the closure or downgrading of nine hospitals. |
"This review of services by NHS London is a package of cash-led cuts to local services dressed up as a rational planning process." | "This review of services by NHS London is a package of cash-led cuts to local services dressed up as a rational planning process." |
Sir Ara Darzi believes people should get treatment locally | Sir Ara Darzi believes people should get treatment locally |
But doctors are also warning the review could have wider ramifications. | But doctors are also warning the review could have wider ramifications. |
The national review Sir Ara has been recently asked to conduct was hailed as a "once in a generation" opportunity. | The national review Sir Ara has been recently asked to conduct was hailed as a "once in a generation" opportunity. |
He has been given a wide-ranging remit, but some fear it could be used as a basis to justify cuts. | He has been given a wide-ranging remit, but some fear it could be used as a basis to justify cuts. |
Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said: "It is pushing an old agenda, not a new one. Our concern is that this strips resources from hospitals and GP services. | Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said: "It is pushing an old agenda, not a new one. Our concern is that this strips resources from hospitals and GP services. |
"Clinicians have not been as involved as they should have been with this review and the concern [with the national review] is that that will continue. | "Clinicians have not been as involved as they should have been with this review and the concern [with the national review] is that that will continue. |
"The last administration worked by having a pre-conceived plan and then having a consultation as a sop to the public. | "The last administration worked by having a pre-conceived plan and then having a consultation as a sop to the public. |
"The fear is this could happen again. Changes to hospitals must involve clinicians and the public." | "The fear is this could happen again. Changes to hospitals must involve clinicians and the public." |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "It would be wrong to assume the solutions for London will be right for the rest of the country." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "It would be wrong to assume the solutions for London will be right for the rest of the country." |