Councillors from London and the South East have expressed ‘deep concerns' over Lord Darzi's proposed reform of NHS services in the capital. A study of Darzi's Healthcare for London report, conducted by members from the capital's 32 boroughs and Essex and Surrey county councils, concludes there are ‘significant gaps' in the health minister's plan. Councillors said it was ‘unacceptable that mental health and children's services were added as an afterthought', and have warned of insufficient resources. Darzi, a former surgeon, has suggested turning many hospital-based services into primary care treatments, for example, by using ‘polyclinics' merging GP services with those of other health specialists. But the councillors' study, published yesterday (6 May), repeatedly warns reform must improve, not hinder, healthcare accessibility.
