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<p>The reconfiguration of local health services is the responsibility of the local
National Health Service, led by clinicians, and should be in the best interests of
patients. Any reconfiguration proposed has to ensure that it shows support from general
practitioner commissioners, strengthened public and patient involvement, clarity on
the clinical evidence base and consistency with current and prospective patient choice.</p><p>
</p><p>East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) and NHS Canterbury
and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are leading plans to consolidate outpatient
sites from 15 locations down to six, and conducted public consultation on plans between
December 2013 and March 2014. We understand EKHUFT's board approved these proposals
on 27 June 2014.</p><p> </p><p>These changes do not affect the future of any community
hospitals in Kent. NHS England confirms the NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG Governing
Body met on the 2 July 2014 and approved EKHUFT's move to implement new ways of working
in an outpatient setting, including the reduction of specialist acute outpatient clinics
from 15 sites down to six sites, and the choice of Estuary View Medical Centre as
the centralised site for specialist acute outpatient services on the north Kent coast.</p><p>
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