This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
NHS cuts planned, BBC reports
The BBC has reported that it has seen draft sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) which propose numerous cuts to services across the NHS.
The draft proposal suggested ward closures, cuts in bed numbers and changes to A&E and GP care in 44 areas. The plans comes as NHS England is striving to find £22 billion in efficiency savings by 2020-21 and is aiming to reorganise local services to improve patient care.
In total, 44 STPs have been drawn up by local health and social care leaders, after they were asked to find potential savings and efficiencies at the end of last year to meet financial targets set out by the former Chancellor George Osborne, although many have not been published.
Commenting on the STPs, Nigel Edwards, head of Nuffield Trust, said: "The speed of the process to shape these plans has meant that they have so far not been very visible".
Furthermore, Sally Gainsbury, senior policy analyst with the trust, added: "Our research finds that, in a lot of these kinds of reconfigurations, you don't save very much money - all that happens is the patient has to go to the next hospital down the road. They're more inconvenienced... but it rarely saves the money that's needed."
However, an NHS England spokesman argued: "This is a unique exercise in collaboration. It is hardly a secret that the NHS is looking to make major efficiencies and the best way of doing so is for local doctors, hospitals and councils to work together to decide the way forward in consultation with local communities.
"Proposals are at a draft stage but we expect all local leaders to be talking to the public and stakeholders regularly - it is vital that people are able to shape the future of their local services.
"No changes to the services people currently receive will be made without local engagement and, where required, consultation."
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