Spending cuts spark fears for super-hospital
Plans to cut NHS spending in Peterborough have sparked fears that the budget cuts could impact on plans for a new super-hospital in the area.
NHS Peterborough is planning to cut spending by around 33 million pounds in a bid to reduce the national deficit. One of the ways of reducing spending is to encourage GPs to refer fewer patients for hospital treatment and urge patients to come to them for care for minor injuries, rather than going to accident and emergency units. It is now feared that as a result of spending cuts, the 335 million pound super-hospital may be affected.
The budget cuts are part of a national effort to reduce public spending but cuts in Peterborough are also required to pay back the overspend in previous years; health executives are blaming the overspend on the fact that increased numbers of patients are seeking hospital treatment for illnesses and injuries that could be treated by their GP. GPs in the area, however, have criticised the plans, saying that there is already enough pressure on GPs and they are currently struggling to provide services without having to take on additional responsibilities.
The new facility, which is due to open in November, is being managed by Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Representatives have announced that the spending cuts will not affect the standard of patient care; they were unable to comment on the nature of the changes that will be brought about by the spending cuts because the board has not yet met to discuss this matter; this meeting is due to take place in the coming days.
Another plan to save money is to encourage patients with high standards of oral health to see their dentist once a year instead of once every six months; this notion is supported by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) and dentists and NHS executives in the area believe it will improve local and regional access to dental services as more patients can be catered for.
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