Minister says hospital changes are 'not a threat'

The government will not intervene over plans to strip services from Scunthorpe General Hospital, a letter from the health minister has confirmed.

Plans include closing the hospital's trauma unit and splitting emergency surgeries between hospitals in northern Lincolnshire and Hull.

Last year, North Lincolnshire councillors unanimously requested the NHS Humber Acute Services review was called in by government.

But, in a letter to council leader Rob Waltham, Health Minister Karin Smyth MP declined to call it in, and stated the proposals "do not pose a threat to the viability of Scunthorpe General Hospital".

The Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (HNY-ICB) said the aim of the NHS Humber Acute Services Programme was to "design hospital services that will be fit for the future".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the proposed changes approved by the HNY-ICB last year followed a significant public consultation.

Proposals for Scunthorpe General Hospital to no longer treat child patients requiring an overnight stay were dropped after this.

But a number of changes remained, including Scunthorpe's trauma unit being moved to Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

Adult patients with heart, lung or stomach problems who require long stays will only be treated in Grimsby and emergency surgeries will be divided between hospitals.

It has been estimated the changes would impact seven hospital patients a day, which equates to about 2,500 a year.

In the letter, addressed to Waltham, Smyth said the delay in responding was due to "careful consideration" of the proposals.

She said: "It is clear that the changes proposed do not pose a threat to the viability of Scunthorpe General Hospital."

She added the hospital "will remain a vital part of the health economy in the area".

But, responding to Smyth's letter, Waltham said: "Residents will be furious and rightly so. The government had a clear opportunity to stand up for people in North Lincolnshire and protect vital NHS services.

"They recognised the risks, they saw the warnings, and yet they have chosen to walk away.

"That is nothing short of abandoning local people at a time when the health service is already under immense strain."

He added: "Communities have fought too hard for their hospital to see it diminished and they deserved support to fight with them.

"Instead, they have been left to face this alone."

A spokesperson for HNY-ICB said: "We are pleased with the minister's decision which enables us to implement our proposed changes. We listened carefully to the concerns put forward by the council and suggested additional mitigations.

"We are confident these would provide that extra support to the very small number of patients who may be affected by these changes, which is around seven people a day."

The spokesperson added the board would work closely with the council and stakeholders to "address ongoing concerns" around transport and access.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for a comment.

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