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dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 05:56 PM Apr 2013

Hospitals must shrink or shut, doctors warn

GPs who now control much of the NHS budget have said many hospitals will have to drastically shrink or shut altogether because half their services should be provided elsewhere. Family doctors have raised questions over the future of hospitals by claiming services would improve if large swaths of medical care – including diagnostic tests, outpatient appointments and dementia care – were carried out closer to patients' homes.

Dr Michael Dixon, who represents many of the 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) that last week took control of £65bn of health spending, told the Guardian that hospitals would have to downsize as part of efforts to cut what he said was "an awful lot of fat" in the NHS budget and make healthcare more patient-friendly.

Dixon cited the example of frail elderly patients, who occupy about 70% of hospital beds and who could be looked after at home by teams of community-based health professionals.

He signalled that CCGs intend to use their new roles as key decision-makers in the NHS in England to drive through radical changes to how healthcare is delivered, especially hospital services. "A very large amount of what's currently done in hospitals could or should be done elsewhere. I think 50%," said Dixon, the interim president of NHS Clinical Commissioners, which represents 135 of the 211 CCGs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/07/hospitals-doctors

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hospitals must shrink or shut, doctors warn (Original Post) dipsydoodle Apr 2013 OP
Maybe they should just shut CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #1
That don't sound right dipsydoodle Apr 2013 #2
I don't know how long she's been in Spain CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #3
Spain is in crisis right now Warpy Apr 2013 #4
I don't have much more info. CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #5
I'm not. I've cared for people in their 80s with known aneurysms here Warpy Apr 2013 #7
Spain provides reciprocal treatment for the NHS. dipsydoodle Apr 2013 #6
Probably my cousin (#1 I mention) CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #8

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
1. Maybe they should just shut
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:02 PM
Apr 2013

Might be better IMO.

Received a letter from a relative of mine now residing for the time being in Spain.

Her sister was told she had an aneurysm last year and was advised to follow up THIS year re: this serious problem.

So she waits 5 mos. for an appt. only to be told to come back again next year.

No treatment offered, no nothing.

Might as well shut the hospitals down if this is the type of service being "provided".

Kill the sick and move along ....



CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
3. I don't know how long she's been in Spain
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:08 PM
Apr 2013

But the sister owns property in Scotland.

I guess things have gone to hell everywhere from what she wrote in her letter to me.

I don't know that Spain would/could be any better (part of the EU) -- ?

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
4. Spain is in crisis right now
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:12 PM
Apr 2013

and my guess is that unless an aneurysm is dissecting, they won't do anything for anybody. Her position is even worse since she's not a citizen.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
5. I don't have much more info.
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:15 PM
Apr 2013

My cousin is quite old so the only way I can contact her is to write her a letter an mail it, something I must do soon as she was hoping to meet up w/me in Aug. and I cannot make it.

Sad situation for both of them. The sister is the one with the aneurysm. She is older than the one I mention above. I feel really sad for them as they are on their own pretty much.

I was shocked when I read that letter, absolutely shocked that they would tell someone with such a condition to come back next year *again* ... she'll likely be dead and gone by that time I fear.

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
7. I'm not. I've cared for people in their 80s with known aneurysms here
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:19 PM
Apr 2013

and surgery was not being considered as an option because their overall state of health was not such that they'd survive it long. Sometimes no care is the best care, especially when the person's comfort has been assured.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
6. Spain provides reciprocal treatment for the NHS.
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:16 PM
Apr 2013

It doesn't follow that Spain treats others the same though under current circumstances there.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
8. Probably my cousin (#1 I mention)
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 06:23 PM
Apr 2013

I bet she knows about this and maybe that is exactly why she was in Spain "at the moment" as she wrote ... checking things out for her sister perhaps?

I wish I knew more but the letter was filled with plenty of !!!!! all over the place.

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