Secret NHS plans to shut down Hospitals
NHS plans that could lead to hospital and A&E closures have been kept secret from the public and barely involved frontline staff, a leading think tank has warned.
NHS England has told local health leaders not to reveal the plans to the public or the media until they are finalised and have been approved by their own officials first, according to published documents and a new analysis from the King's Fund.
The national body even told local managers to refuse applications from the media or the public wanting to see the proposals under the Freedom of Information Act.
Local managers accused NHS England of being intent on managing the "narrative" about the plans.
Health managers in 44 areas of England have been ordered to draw up the strategies, setting out how they will red...