An NHS trust is reducing the number of clinics held after primary care trusts (PCTs) cut the number of patients sent to its hospitals to help save �3.7m. A spokesperson for West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust said: "The PCTs are cutting our outpatient attendances by 40,000."
Watford, Three Rivers and Dacorum PCTs now send outpatients to GPs, practice nurses and other therapists who treat patients in their own homes.
Clinics at Watford General and St Albans City hospitals will be affected.
A spokeswoman for West Hertfordshire Hospitals said: "The trust needs to reduce its outpatient capacity according to the current demand.
'Convenient for patients'
"This does not affect any clinical decisions and people will continue to be seen at the appropriate time.
"Where services are provided in stand-alone or specialised facilities, each will be assessed independently before changes are agreed."
A spokeswoman from the PCTs said: "Some minor surgery procedures are already carried out at GP surgeries and patients with musculoskeletal conditions seen by a multidisciplinary team of specialists - who have the skill to investigate, diagnose and advise.
"Seeing patients in the community, closer to their home will be more convenient for patients and will reduce hospital waiting times because fewer people will need to be seen there.
"By carrying out fewer outpatient and follow up appointments in hospital and more in the community the PCTs plan to save approximately �3.7m which will be invested in community services."
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