They found that 58% were opposed to the policy of concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals.
Health officials say concentrating services, including the most serious accident and emergency cases, elsewhere offers the "best fit".
A separate poll conducted by YouGov for the Welsh NHS in November last year found a narrower split between the 57% of people who were totally opposed to concentrating services in fewer, larger hospitals and the 29% who strongly supported the idea.
Concentrating services among fewer providers may adversely affect access to procedures in many areas of the country [ 20].
Sowden et al (1995) reviewed the literature relating to coronary artery surgery and found that evidence in favour of concentrating services was weak and mainly supported by small, poor quality studies.
This corresponds with the findings of Khan (2009) suggesting that concentrating services in a day hospital, making different medical and paramedical staff available, providing fenced parking, transport, and toileting facilities under the same roof for frail elderly are the trump cards of the day hospital model [ 27].
After years of investigations, discussions, hearings and evidence, the NHS opted to concentrate services in seven hospitals instead of 11.
While it had no criticism of the underlying aim to concentrate services in fewer centres, it accused the review team of a flawed analysis of incomplete proposals that left many questions unanswered.
Aside from maintaining the cutting-edge medical care at the clinic's main campus, this health system also needs to concentrate services in fewer community hospitals, where they will have the kind of volume and expertise necessary to deliver quality care, he added.
The Department of Health's Safe and Sustainable review examined all of England's child cardiac units in a bid to concentrate services in fewer, better units.
