All hospital services in Sheffield are under review as health bosses try to fill a £232 million financial blackhole.
And the future operation of four district hospitals – in Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Bassetlaw – is a key part of the review as health chiefs try to find £571m across South Yorkshire.
It comes as it was revealed £200m of capital investment to help deliver the Sustainability and Transformation Plan is needed in South Yorkshire as part of the drive to alter the way care is delivered and reduce hospital attendances.
Board meeting minutes seen by The Star suggest the review will seek ‘to identify any services that are unsustainable, short, medium and long-term including tertiary services’.
Tertiary services cover specialised treatment like neurosurgery, transplants and secure forensic mental health services.
Also under consideration is splitting hospitals across the region into different ‘tiers’ – but officials say ‘no decisions have been made’ about how this will affect what services are delivered from each site.
It is intended the review will be completed by September.