Here are the key reforms within the government’s latest White Paper on the NHS:
Community hospitals
:: The White Paper said that in its aim to deliver more specialist care locally “a new generation of community facilities” would need to be created.
It stated that over the next five years the Government will develop “a new generation of modern NHS community hospitals”.
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These “state-of-the-art” centres would provide diagnostic services, surgery and outpatient facilities closer to where people live.
The Health ‘MoT’
:: The “Life Check” will be a questionnaire which patients complete either online or on paper. If problems are shown up they may be invited for a face-to-face consultation with a GP.
Initially, the check will be piloted in the most disadvantaged communities, focusing on young children and people approaching their 50s.
It could then be targeted at people in other key stages, such as women who have just had their first baby.
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GP opening times
:: The White Paper admitted there were currently few incentives for GP practices to offer opening times that responded to patient needs.
It said that it would soon be easier for patients to register with the
practice they wanted.
The public will be questioned about how easy they find it to see a GP in regular surveys.
Help for carers
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:: Ms Hewitt said they also wanted to help carers, by integrating many social care services into the NHS.
She said that to help carers, the government would create a respite service to give a break from caring for relatives or friends, as well as offering other support such as a helpline.