Darzi warns NHS on reconfiguration

JUNIOR health minister Lord Darzi has told the NHS to prove any service reconfiguration will improve health outcomes.

In his latest report, Leading Local Change, published last week, Lord Darzi said 'important checks' will be placed on the NHS before it can alter services.

The report pledges that all future changes to the NHS will be led by clinicians and patients.

Lord Darzi said: 'The right way of doing this is to put local clinicians in the lead, with the public and relevant independent experts consulted and involved at an early stage.'

He said the next stage of his review, due to be published in June, will focus on how to enable clinicians and patients to be the 'driving force' of change.

Every SHA will now publish a 'clinically-led vision' document setting out priorities for improving healthcare in the next 10 years.