Dorset healthcare campaigners denied fresh judicial review of NHS reorganisation

Campaign group Defend Dorset NHS has been refused a second judicial review of plans by the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group to re-structure NHS service in the county.

The plans, which aim to save £158m, include the closure of A&E and maternity services in Poole and a reduction in beds at five community hospital locations.

The claim, which was launched in September 2018, followed an unsuccessful judicial review (Hinsull, R (On the Application Of) v NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group [2018] EWHC 2331) brought by the same group, which was heard in July 2018. However, Defend Dorset NHS claimed that the ruling “does nothing to address the clinical risk to Dorset residents who would have to travel further in an emergency”.

Written reasons for the refusal of the second JR are expected tobe published in a few weeks’ time.