THE impact of NHS reforms on rural communities is to be examined by the government.

The DEFRA project will look at how reforms to the health and care system under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 have affected rural communities.

Rural stakeholders have described the 2012 act as the biggest shake up of the healthcare sector since the NHS was created in 1948.

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 is intended to safeguard the NHS – tackling its problems, avoiding a crisis and empowering patients.

But the Rural Services Network has highlighted fears that rural healthcare may become more patchy and rationed.

A summary document for the DEFRA project is available here.