Labour ‘planning most radical NHS reforms since 1948’

Labour will soon announce proposals for the most radical overhaul of the NHS seen since its establishment nearly 60 years ago, it has been claimed.

Recently-appointed health minister Sir Ara Darzi has given an interview with the Guardian newspaper in which he outlines government plans for drastic reform of the health service in the capital that the paper speculates will result in “the end of the local general hospital”.

According to the proposals due for publication later today, the government intends to establish a network of 150 polyclinics in London that will provide a comprehensive range of services for standard healthcare needs.

The plan will state: “The days of the district general hospital seeking to provide all services to a high enough standard are over.”

Sir Ara told the Guardian that the position of London regarding the NHS is unique, with the health service less popular with the general public than in many other places across the country, but there has been an assurance that reform elsewhere will be taken on board with equal enthusiasm.

In November 2006, the health select committee published a report attacking plans to reduce the number of primary care trusts, describing them as “ill judged” and expressing doubts at the ability of such steps to improve the NHS.