An exhibition and public drop-in event setting out details of a proposed change to the way a small number of more complex medical, urgent and emergency care and paediatric (children’s) services are delivered at hospitals in Northern Lincolnshire takes place in Scunthorpe tomorrow (20 October).
The event – part of a 14-week public consultation – is being held at The Pods in Ashby Road with people invited to drop in any time between noon and 8pm to learn more about the proposal and give their views.
While the majority of hospital services for most people in northern Lincolnshire would not change, the local NHS is proposing to consolidate a small number of more complex medical, urgent and emergency care and paediatric (children’s) services at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, rather than across the two hospital sites in Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
It says this would “improve services for those with the most urgent and complex needs, keeping them safe and of high quality in the long term”.
The proposal would see the following services brought together:-
- Trauma Unit – for people with injuries requiring specialist care (typically brought by ambulance) and who might need an operation or observation by a trauma team
- Overnight emergency surgery – for people who need an operation in the middle of the night or who need to stay in hospital overnight and be looked after by teams with surgical expertise
- Some medical specialities (inpatient) – for people who need a longer stay in hospital (more than 72 hours) and to be looked after by a specialist team for their heart, lung or stomach condition
- Paediatric overnight (inpatient) care – for children and young people who need to stay in hospital for more than 24 hours
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is leading the public consultation, is keen for everyone living or working in Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Goole and surrounding areas to have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed change before the consultation closes on 5 January next year.
Alex Seale, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Director for North Lincolnshire, said: “Our local hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain enough doctors, nurses and specialist staff with the right skills and expertise. These shortages are a real problem and mean some specialties are not available every day at both Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.
“We believe consolidating these services onto a single site is the right thing to do and will help ensure we’re giving people with the most urgent and complex needs the best possible care, around the clock, seven days a week, leading to a better experience for patients and ultimately better outcomes.
“We understand why some people might be anxious about some services potentially being moved out of Scunthorpe, but keeping the status quo is not a viable option.”
Kae Wood, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Medical Officer added: “We want to be clear, this consultation is about a small number of specialist services currently provided in both Scunthorpe and Grimsby.
“24/7 A&E, urgent care and assessment would remain at Scunthorpe General Hospital, together with short-stay emergency care (up to 72 hours), daytime emergency surgery, assessment and short-stay specialty medical inpatient care (up to 72 hours), and 24/7 paediatric assessment (up to 24 hours),
“And overnight (inpatient) care for elderly and general medical patients (for stays longer than
three days), 24/7 maternity and neonatal care and outpatient appointments would all continue to be available at Scunthorpe General Hospital.”
People can find out more about the NHS proposal and have their say at www.betterhospitalshumber.nhs.uk
NHS Number and Yorkshire ICB says consultation responses will be considered carefully before any decision is taken.