Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for planning and commissioning local services, including reviews of local health services. South East Coast Strategic Health Authority has confirmed to officials that any review by local PCTs and other relevant national health service organisations will take account of all viable options.
Where it is agreed that the proposals to reconfigure services include any significant change to the way services are provided, local trusts have a duty to consult and involve the Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs). OSCs take on the role of scrutiny of the NHS, both major changes and the ongoing operation and planning of services. Where the OSCs disagree with decisions made by NHS organisations then they have the power to refer the decision to the Secretary of State.