This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6288366.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Minister signals big NHS change Brown denies hospitals to close
(about 2 hours later)
Plans for a radical revamp of the NHS in London could provide a blueprint for fundamental change across England. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has denied the government plans the mass closure of district general hospitals.
New health minister Sir Ara Darzi, a practising surgeon, says sweeping change is needed for the NHS to meet the demands of modern living. He was challenged on plans for reform of the NHS in London put forward by new Health Minister Sir Ara Darzi, a practising surgeon.
In his London report, he proposes polyclinics - super GP surgeries - to support specialist hospitals, but critics fear hospital closures. Sir Ara Darzi proposes 150 new polyclinics - super GP surgeries - in the capital, alongside more specialist hospital units.
Sir Ara is in charge of carrying out a major NHS review for Gordon Brown. Critics believe this would put traditional hospitals under threat.
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. Although Sir Ara's report focuses solely on London, he has also been placed in charge of a fundamental review of the NHS across England.
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 EmergencyThis 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
Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Brown Gordon Brown insisted there were no hospital closures planned and accused Conservative leader David Cameron of running a "scare campaign".
But Mr Cameron said Sir Ara was on record as saying the days of the district general hospital were over, and what was needed were fewer, more specialised units.
He said: "What can that mean if it does not mean cutbacks in departments, and closures within existing hospitals?"
Competition
Sir Ara 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY It all sounds marvellous but let's wait and see what happens when it is all put into practice Christine Cobbold, Rainham Send us your comments
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 equipped with x-ray and ultrasound machines, allowing consultants to run services closer to patients' homes.They would be equipped with x-ray and ultrasound machines, allowing consultants to run services closer to patients' homes.
HAVE YOUR SAY It all sounds marvellous but let's wait and see what happens when it is all put into practice Christine Cobbold, Rainham Send us your comments
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 ramificationsWider 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.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 locallySir 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."