NHS Confederation backs hospital closure plans

The NHS Confederation has backed suggestions by former NHS head Lord Crisp that some hospitals will need to be closed for the benefit of the health service as a whole.

According to the organisation, "tough decisions" are necessary if the NHS is to continue living within its means, which may mean discontinuing services, offering fewer beds and providing care in different ways, such as via the community.

Earlier this week, Lord Crisp told BBC News that the hospital sector is currently suffering from overcapacity due to too many sites being built under the last government.

Endorsing the conclusions of Lord Crisp's new report on the matter, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation David Stout said this issue must be tackled as soon as possible.

However, even though the NHS will have to do "more for less" in future, Mr Stout said there is no need for this to derail efforts to improve care quality.

"If we get it right, this can be about protecting and improving the quality of care patients have access to," he said.