The Department, in conjunction with its key stakeholders, has issued a raft of helpful guidance to strategic health authorities in England who are considering or undertaking reviews of acute hospital sectors.
It is the responsibility of the local national health service to plan, develop and improve health services according to the health care needs of the local population. The Department’s 2008 publication—“Leading Local Change”—makes it clear that any changes should be locally led, clinically driven and built upon a sound clinical case for change. A copy of the publication has already been placed in the Library.