article_snippet: NHS bosses have been accused of covering up plans to close A&E units and cut hospital beds – after paying £10million for reports NHS bosses are now refusing to publish.
article_snippet: Such concerns are stoked by an official, watered-down summary of the project, which mentions the need for ‘tough decisions’ to balance the books in the 11
article_snippet: ‘challenged’ areas, where budgets are being overspent.
article_snippet: Using business jargon, it speaks of ‘service reconfiguration’ – which critics say is code for cuts – and ‘rationalising the [NHS] estate’, or selling off hospital buildings and land.
article_snippet: The Mail said NHS managers should The Mailinvestigate the feasibility’ of stripping Stafford hospital of all NHS emergency services – including the A&E department – and turning NHS into ‘an elective and rehabilitation centre’.
article_snippet: KPMG also recommended closing hospital beds there and in Stoke, Tamworth and Burton to plug a potential £217million black hole.
article_snippet: If similar suggestions have been made for the other ten areas, NHS managers will be considering plans to close numerous A&Es and potentially thousands of hospital beds.
article_snippet: Despite the terrible history of Stafford hospital, where hundreds are thought to have died in the 2000s due to poor care, the town has rallied to save the town departments from the axe.
article_snippet: The other ten areas are: Cumbria, Eastern Cheshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cambridge & Peterborough, Mid Essex, North-East London, South-West London, East Sussex, and Devon.