PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Hospital Beds: Dorset (16 July 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of (a) closing 450 beds at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and replacing them with 450 new beds at Poole General Hospital and (b) closing 450 beds at Poole General Hospital and replacing them with 450 beds at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Asked by:
Sir Christopher Chope (Conservative)

The reconfiguration of local health services is a matter for the National Health Service. All service changes should be led by clinicians and be in the best interests of patients, not driven from the top down.

Any proposed significant changes to services are subject to the four tests for service reconfiguration. These tests set out that proposals should demonstrate: support from clinical commissioners; strengthened public and patient engagement; clarity on the clinical evidence base; and support for patient choice.

We understand Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is leading the Dorset Clinical Services Review. The CCG confirms the case for change set outs to ensure that in Dorset there is access to care for all, which is both high quality and affordable for the future. The CCG will formally consult the public on its proposals in 2016.

We are advised that any change in bed numbers will be a part of an overall reconfiguration of services and includes remodelling of a number of services to improve patient flows. Detailed work is currently underway to consider the estate implications of the proposed options and we would expect the planned overall costs to the local NHS to be published as part of the consultation process.

Answered by:
Ben Gummer (Conservative)
21 July 2015