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Keeping the NHS local: a new direction of travel

The route for planning those changes will also be new. The NHS is now working within a new legislative framework, which will bring the voices of patients and the public into the heart of the debate. There are new duties on the NHS to consult the public and a drive to improve patient choice. Local authority overview and scrutiny powers have been extended to include local health services. The Independent Reconfiguration Panel is being established to advise on contested proposals for major service change, and will explicitly take account of this guidance in discharging its new responsibilities.

This document sets out new guidance for the NHS on service change. It sets out the principles and approach which should be applied to all proposals for service change. It also describes some service models which are for consultation, to promote further discussion and debate.

• Configuring hospitals
• Download Keeping the NHS local a new direction of travel (PDF, 257K)
• Keeping the NHS Local : Summary of consultation responses