New reports suggest imminent NHS closures and cuts

Potentially significant cuts to NHS services could be forthcoming as the health service struggles to cope with crippling budget limitations, according to new reports.

An investigation by the Guardian and campaign group 38 Degrees has indicated that NHS leaders across England are making plans for hospital closures, cutbacks and radical changes to service delivery in order to avoid a 20 billion pound budget shortfall by 2020-21.

Examples include a reduction of the number of acute hospitals in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland region from three to two, the closure of one of two district general hospitals in the Black Country, and a reduction in the number of face-to-face patient consultations in north-west London, in favour of virtual consultations and self-management schemes.

Separately, BBC News confirmed that it had seen draft sustainability and transformation plans proposing ward closures, cuts in bed numbers and changes to accident and emergency and GP care in 44 areas.

This comes after years of calls from the health sector to increase NHS funding and an end to the recent push for efficiency savings.

Laura Townshend of 38 Degrees said: "We all rely on these services, yet we are being kept in the dark. These proposed cuts aren't the fault of local NHS leaders; the health service is struggling to cope with growing black holes in NHS funding."

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