Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of services that have been permanently cut from community hospitals following temporary trials in each year for which information is available.

Decisions about NHS services, including in Cirencester, are best taken at a local level, and the responsibility for the delivery, implementation and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioner.

All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients. Substantial planned service change should be subject to a full public consultation and meet the Government and NHS England’s ‘tests’ to ensure good decision-making.

The Department does not hold information centrally on the number of services that have been permanently decommissioned from community hospitals following temporary trials.