NHS propose moving some services from Scunthorpe to Grimsby hospital
The NHS wants your views on proposals to move specialist care services.
Last updated 26th Sep 2023
A trauma unit, overnight emergency surgery, paediatric overnight care, and other selected medical specialities are all areas that could move from Scunthorpe General Hospital to Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
Urgent and emergency care for most patients would still be provided at both hospitals, which would both retain 24/7 Accident and Emergency Departments.
Alex Seale, North Lincolnshire Director for the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said: "Over 90% of the contact that people currently have at hospital they'll still be able to do at their local hospital - this is just the most specialist element and it doesn't mean that everyone will have to move to different hospital sites."
It's about making sure that we can give people that specialist care at the soonest point
Staff shortages are behind the proposals, with the hospitals suffering from NHS-wide issues recruiting and retaining doctors. The NHS says that in some cases, patients are having to wait too long for expert treatment in the area.
Alex Seale said: "We do have staffing shortages in some of our specialities so we're having to spread those specialist skills across a greater area.
"It's about making sure that we can give people that specialist care at the soonest point we can so we can get them diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible so we can support them on their journey getting back to health."
The public consultation will run until 5 January 2023, with drop-in sessions in Grimsby, Goole and Scunthorpe in October. Patients - particularly those that would be affected by the proposals - are asked to respond to help shape the changes to the needs of the community.