Hospital Sites 'Facing 50% Cut'

The number of hospitals that cater for patients across NI could be in for huge reduction.

It has emerged this morning that a major review of the health service is at an advanced stage.

The Health Minister Edwin Poots said the review, by John Compton, is expected to be the biggest in recent years and has been forecast to be controversial and radical.

The report's view is that it is likely only to be possible to provide resilient, sustainable major acute services on five to seven sites.

This is one of the 99 recommendations - and the one most likely to trigger debate - as it means a huge reduction in the number of hospitals.

The review suggests the current number could be cut from 10 as early as 2016 leaving as few as five - at worst - by that time.

DUP Minister Edwin Poots said today in the Assembly that 'Transforming Your Care, A Review of Health and Social Care' contains a compelling set of proposals for the future of health and social care services in Northern Ireland.

The report carried out by a team chaired by John Compton and advised by a panel of independent experts recommends that each Local Commissioning Groups should draw up specific proposals for hospitals in their areas that meet the principles and criteria laid down by the Review team.

"It proposes a model which puts the individual at the centre. Health and social care services will be increasingly accessible in local areas. Patients will have to deal with fewer professionals and will be at the centre of decision-making about their treatment," Minister Poots continued.

"There will be a significant shift from provision of services in hospitals to provision of services in the community, in the GP surgery, closer to home, where it is safe and effective to do this," he insisted.

Over 3,000 people contributed and its main recommendations are more care delivered in the home; changing care packages for people in nursing homes; increased role of the GP; increased role of pharmacy in medicines management and prevention; increased use of community and social care services to meet people's needs; and outreach of acute services into the community.

Mr Poots said: "We must stop doing what does not work, challenge out-of-date practices and acknowledge that some of our services are no longer fit for purpose. The system needs to change. Our services need to be resilient, sustainable and safe."

(BMcC)