Whither the specialist hospital?

Clinical developments during the nineteenth century having convinced the public of the value of medical specialisation, the concept of the specialist hospital became so popular as to unduly influence the delivery of health care. However, scientific progress after World War II led to an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach with a major reversal in policy-formulation pertaining to capital building for medical services. Mega hospitals now encompass a comprehensive range of specialties thereby facilitating clinical referrals and research besides community care. As a result, the value of the stand-alone specialist hospital should be reviewed in the context of health service planning.