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NHS reform accepted 'if services improve', survey finds NHS reform accepted 'if services improve', survey finds
(about 1 hour later)
The annual conference of the NHS Wales Confederation meets to discuss wide-ranging and controversial changes to the future of the health service. Health managers are meeting to discuss wide-ranging and potentially controversial changes to the NHS in Wales.
It comes on a day a survey says people are prepared to accept major changes to their hospitals for better health care.It comes on a day a survey says people are prepared to accept major changes to their hospitals for better health care.
A poll by YouGov for NHS health boards found 61% would be prepared to travel for better specialist health services.A poll by YouGov for NHS health boards found 61% would be prepared to travel for better specialist health services.
However, most are still opposed to concentrating services in fewer and larger hospitals.However, most are still opposed to concentrating services in fewer and larger hospitals.
The Welsh NHS Confederation, which represents health boards, said patients recognised the challenges ahead.The Welsh NHS Confederation, which represents health boards, said patients recognised the challenges ahead.
The confederation, made up of health boards and hospital trusts, is holding its annual conference in Cardiff.The confederation, made up of health boards and hospital trusts, is holding its annual conference in Cardiff.
It is set against the background of a major overhaul in the NHS, announced by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths last week. It is set against the background of a major overhaul in the NHS announced by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths last week.
Ms Griffiths, who will address the conference, has insisted no district hospitals will close and services will not be downgraded.Ms Griffiths, who will address the conference, has insisted no district hospitals will close and services will not be downgraded.
But she has admitted patients may face travelling a little further to receive the best treatment.But she has admitted patients may face travelling a little further to receive the best treatment.
She is expecting further details from health boards later this month on how they plan to shake-up their services.
The confederation said the YouGov poll showed people appeared to accept tough choices were ahead for the NHS.The confederation said the YouGov poll showed people appeared to accept tough choices were ahead for the NHS.
Specialist care
Most people were still opposed to concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals, believing their local hospital should provide every type of service.Most people were still opposed to concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals, believing their local hospital should provide every type of service.
However, the poll found most people then said they did not mind travelling for specialist care if it meant the care would be higher quality.However, the poll found most people then said they did not mind travelling for specialist care if it meant the care would be higher quality.
The survey found:The survey found:
  • Only 15% agreed that the NHS should keep old hospital buildings open, "even if they are not fit for modern health care".
  • 75% agreed that more could be done to care for people at home and prevent them from having to go to hospital in the first place.
  • 61% were prepared to travel for better specialist health services.
  • In comparison, 21% of those said they wanted specialist services at their local general hospital, even if it "isn't as good as somewhere further away'.
  • Only 15% agreed that the NHS should keep old hospital buildings open, "even if they are not fit for modern health care".
  • 75% agreed that more could be done to care for people at home and prevent them from having to go to hospital in the first place.
  • 61% were prepared to travel for better specialist health services.
  • In comparison, 21% of those said they wanted specialist services at their local general hospital, even if it "isn't as good as somewhere further away'.
Confederation director Helen Birtwhistle said: "A great deal of opposition to change, particularly from politicians, is based on the premise that the public won't accept it.Confederation director Helen Birtwhistle said: "A great deal of opposition to change, particularly from politicians, is based on the premise that the public won't accept it.
"In fact, while it is clear that people believe their local hospital should provide every type of health service for the local community, for example, they are nonetheless prepared to accept change if it improves quality and safety."In fact, while it is clear that people believe their local hospital should provide every type of health service for the local community, for example, they are nonetheless prepared to accept change if it improves quality and safety.
"That is a major breakthrough and will help the NHS in fulfilling its responsibility to demonstrate that where changes are proposed, these will be based on clinical evidence and the advice of experts.""That is a major breakthrough and will help the NHS in fulfilling its responsibility to demonstrate that where changes are proposed, these will be based on clinical evidence and the advice of experts."
'Controversial changes' 'Emotionally attached'
She said people also recognised the value of care closer to home and in local communities, which seemed to "reinforce the move to find new and innovative ways to provide health services away from hospitals, where that is appropriate."She said people also recognised the value of care closer to home and in local communities, which seemed to "reinforce the move to find new and innovative ways to provide health services away from hospitals, where that is appropriate."
Prof Marcus Longley, health economist at the University of Glamorgan, said the survey showed the need for leadership over expected changes in NHS provision and to persuade the public that this was not about merely saving money.Prof Marcus Longley, health economist at the University of Glamorgan, said the survey showed the need for leadership over expected changes in NHS provision and to persuade the public that this was not about merely saving money.
He said: "The NHS managers who the confederation represents have quite often felt that they did not have the support that they need to make the changes that the politicians are asking them to make.He said: "The NHS managers who the confederation represents have quite often felt that they did not have the support that they need to make the changes that the politicians are asking them to make.
"As we going in to a period in the next six months when really quite controversial changes will be put forward, if there is not some political support of the managers, it will be quite a hard battle, particularly as people are somewhat emotionally attached to their local hospitals.""As we going in to a period in the next six months when really quite controversial changes will be put forward, if there is not some political support of the managers, it will be quite a hard battle, particularly as people are somewhat emotionally attached to their local hospitals."
The YouGov survey was online with a sample size of 1,004 adults and took place between 27 October-1 November.The YouGov survey was online with a sample size of 1,004 adults and took place between 27 October-1 November.