Read our response to health secretary Andrew Lansley's decision to consider placing South London Healthcare NHS Trust in administration.
Difficult decisions
NHS Confederation deputy chief executive David Stout said: “We are glad to see that the Government is responding to the challenge facing the NHS we set out last week and is starting to make some difficult decisions that have needed to be made for some time.
Short term fixes no longer possible
“NHS leaders have made it clear that short term fixes for struggling trusts are no longer possible. More decisive action is going to be needed to help the NHS maintain services and stay in financial balance during this unprecedented spending squeeze.
Government grasping the nettle
“We welcome the secretary of state’s actions as a sign that the Government is beginning to grasp the nettle on some of these difficult issues.
Beyond hospital care
“When taking over a trust, it is important that the administrator looks beyond hospital care to consider primary and community care in order to make sure services are placed back on a financially sustainable footing."
