Overnight children's services won't move from Scunthorpe to Grimsby Hospital

A revised proposal about which services will move from Scunthorpe to Grimsby Hospital has been approved by health bosses.

It follows a 14-week public consultation, which saw thousands of people take part.

Last year it was proposed a number of services would move from Scunthorpe to Grimsby Hospital - health bosses said that was to 'meet the needs of patients across the region now and in the future, as well as tackling a range of challenges faced by the NHS in our region'.

Following the consultation a number of changes have been made to the proposals.

On the original list to move to Grimsby was overnight children's care but following the consultation this won't now happen.

However the care for trauma patients will move to Grimsby together with some medical specialities for people with heart, lung or stomach conditions who require a longer stay in hospital (more than three days).

Also not all overnight emergency surgery will be moved to Grimsby. The Integrated Care Board says "with consolidation taking place at different hospitals across northern Lincolnshire and Hull depending on the medical specialty".

The changes – once implemented – would mean around seven patients per day would be transferred from Scunthorpe to Grimsby for their care.

The majority of people living in northern Lincolnshire will continue to access hospital care and treatment as they do at the moment

The local NHS says the proposed changes will help deliver “seven-day consultant-led care” across specialist services.

The ICB’s Executive Director of Clinical and Professional, Dr Nigel Wells, said:

“The challenges within the NHS are many and complex and we know for a lot of people the NHS is not working as well as they would like.

“Today’s decision will put hospital services like trauma and overnight emergency surgery on a much more sustainable footing and will mean there is seven-day consultant-led care and improved clinical outcomes for people living in northern Lincolnshire.

“The decision also means we can improve efficiency through consolidation of specialist teams and equipment and provide a more attractive working environment which is really important if we are to improve staff recruitment and retention.

“We recognise this decision won’t be universally popular, but given the challenges we face in the NHS, I’m in no doubt it’s the right decision.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“These cuts to hospital services means a serious downgrade to Scunthorpe General Hospital with longer journeys for local residents and their loved ones.

“The council, along with many other local residents, fought hard against this downgrade during the consultation process and we have frankly been ignored.

“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the local NHS to call for them to listen to our views."

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