Press release: Treatment centres bring faster treatment but must be coordinated with existing NHS services

07 Jan 2005

The introduction of treatment centres has made a real difference and allowed more patients to be treated more quickly, but it is important they do not undermine existing services, the NHS Confederation said today.
Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: "Treatment centres give the health service the ability to treat patients faster than has been traditionally possible, because they have increased the capacity of the NHS and allow the separation the treatment of planned admissions from emergency cases."

"However, there is a growing concern that the centralised way in which treatment centres are being rolled out could cause very significant problems for some NHS hospitals. The removal of large amounts of elective work from existing hospitals can threaten the viability of the services that remain.

"We also need to ensure the use of treatment centres is focused on areas with the greatest need, so that the most pressing capacity issues are addressed first. The location and speciality of new treatment centres must be right."

ENDS

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, foundation trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; NHS boards and special boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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