There is just a short time remaining for people to “have their say” as part of a public consultation into a proposed change to some hospital services in Northern Lincolnshire.
NHS leaders stress there are no plans to make changes to accident and emergency departments and most people would continue to be seen and treated in the same hospital as they are now.
However, the NHS is looking to consolidate a small number of more complex medical, urgent and emergency care and paediatric (children’s) services at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, rather than across two hospital sites in Grimsby and Scunthorpe General Hospital.
It says bringing trauma, overnight emergency surgery, longer-stay paediatrics, and some medical specialities on to a single site would “improve services for those with the most urgent and complex needs” and help keep services safe and of high quality in the long term.
A public consultation on the proposal was launched in September and ends on 5 January.
Thousands of people have already completed an online questionnaire and several hundred have attended one of the public events.
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Director for North Lincolnshire, Alex Seale, said: “Over the last few months we’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of people in a wide range of community venues, explaining our proposal and listening to what people have had to say.
“I want to thank everyone who’s taken the opportunity to attend one of our exhibitions, drop-in events or online event, and those who have simply studied the proposal on our website before providing feedback.
“There’s still time for people to have their say – just visit www.betterhospitalshumber.nhs.uk before the consultation closes on 5 January.”
Kate Wood, Group Chief Medical Officer with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust added: “Our hospital services face significant challenges so we must make some changes – we cannot stand still and keep things as they are. But it is equally important we make the right changes that bring about the best outcomes for our patients and staff, which is what this consultation can help us to do.
“Throughout this process we have been completely tuned in to what people have been telling us.
“Once the consultation closes all the information and feedback we’ve received will be collated, independently analysed and compiled into a feedback report by an independent research organisation called Opinion Research Services (ORS). “This report will tell everyone, including decision-makers, what the public and all our stakeholders have told us and will be considered very carefully before any final decisions are taken.”