Community hospitals to be modernised

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced plans to modernise old community hospitals and proposals for a multi-million pound investment in new health centres in the UK.

According to the plans, six new health centres, eight refurbished community hospitals and two new community hospitals will open nationwide as a result of 50 million pounds of investment into the health service.

The health centres will offer walk-in services for patients with minor conditions, in addition to maternity, diagnostic, surgery and stop-smoking services.

Andy Burnham, health minister, said: “These developments represent our commitment to the biggest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS.

“What this means for patients today is that, in addition to being treated in bright, modern facilities, those in need of NHS treatment will be seen quicker.”

He added that schemes to the value of nearly 100 million pounds have now been approved, with further proposals to be endorsed in the next few months as the government continues its five-year programme to reform the health service.

Earlier this week, the DoH announced that it would grant 146 local hospices funding of 40 million pounds to improve the physical environment for terminally ill patients.