Reconfiguration panel is left kicking its heels

The independent reconfiguration panel has been left with no referrals to examine after delivering three reports to the health secretary.

And a change to the way referrals are made could reduce the number of occasions where it is asked to provide expert opinion.

The panel insists it is "business as usual" and says it is not expecting any changes in its work.

But the Department of Health has confirmed that the secretary of state will no longer refer changes opposed by overview and scrutiny committees to the panel "as a matter of course", as has been the case for the last year while the next stage review was prepared.

Local interests

The DH said the committees "will still retain the right to refer the decision to the health secretary if they believe proposals are not in the interests of local health services. The health secretary may then ask for expert advice from the panel, whose advice will be made public".

A referral on proposed reconfigurations in West Sussex is currently with the health secretary but has not yet been referred to the panel. It has completed reports on services in East Sussex, North London and Bridlington which have been passed to the health secretary for a decision.

The panel's involvement is often seen as a way of ministers avoiding flak for unpopular decisions so it is likely many cases will still be referred to it.

The panel carried out just four reviews from 2003-06. The number increased significantly in 2007 and, since automatic referral was introduced in July 2007, it has carried out seven reviews and two assessments where it decided a full review was not needed. As well as formal reports, it advises NHS organisations and councils at earlier stages in the reconfiguration process.

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