Study: Closing underperforming hospitals may exacerbate health inequalities in rural areas

News-Medical.Net December 9, 2024
University of Surrey

Closing underperforming hospitals may do more harm than good, particularly in rural areas -regardless of their performance status, according to new research from the University of Surrey. The study shows that while the promise of improved care quality often justifies hospital closures, they risk exacerbating health inequalities, particularly for patients who already face longer travel distances for treatment.

The study, published in Regional Science and Urban Economics, which focused on elective hip replacement patients in England, found that the negative impact on patient welfare from hospital closures is significantly greater in rural areas. Patients who relied on the closed facilities could experience a utility loss equivalent to travelling an additional 10.25 kilometres for treatment. 

The study highlights several alarming trends. While patients...

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