Controversial plans to close the Lincoln Walk-In Centre have been officially rubber-stamped, with residents slamming the decision makers who have pushed through the deeply unpopular move.
The final nail in the coffin for the centre which has been open in Lincoln for eight years was confirmed at an NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) governing body meeting at the Ruston Sports and Social Club on Wednesday, September 27.
The CCG is responsible for planning, buying and monitoring GP, hospital, mental health and community health services on behalf of the 240,000 people living in Lincoln, Gainsborough and surrounding areas.
CCGs were brought in by former Conservative Health Secretary Andrew Lansley under The Health and Social Care Act 2012 during the coalition government, replacing primary care trusts.
Here are the 13 members of the Lincolnshire West CCG governing body who have been looking after your health in making this decision:
Richard Childs – Lay Chair
Richard Childs (centre). Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Described as “a firm believer in the NHS”, Richard Childs was Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police for six years between 1997 and 2003.
After leaving this position, he was a consultant in the security industry and reportedly earned £42,500 a year as managing director of The Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) Crime Prevention Initiatives.
On the Lincolnshire West CCG website, he is quoted as being “committed” to seeing the NHS grow and develop in Lincolnshire to provide a quality of service to everyone which surpasses that which is already given in the county.
Dr Sunil Hindocha – Clinical Chief Officer
Dr Sunil Hindocha. Photo: Stee Smailes for The Lincolnite
In an interview with The Lincolnite just days after the consultation was launched, he said that there was no evidence that closing the walk-in centre would lead to an increased demand at A&E.
He also said that the busiest GP practices understood that there could be “two or three” additional appointments that they would have to cover daily as a result of the changes.
The GP at the City Medical Practice in Lincoln added: “Very few people [who use the walk-in-centre] actually need treatment, never mind A&E, they can probably do with a self-care or limited, minor illness advice from pharmacies.”
Dr Hindocha moved to Lincoln in 1991 and is married to a GP who works at a practice in the city.
Sarah-Jane Mills – Chief Operating Officer
Sarah-Jane Mills. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
She said: “It’s about having those conversations with the public about them taking responsibility for their health and accessing health services in a different way.
“It means that you need to think about living a healthy lifestyle – it’s everything that you hear.
“If you’re overweight, lose weight.”
Rob Croot – Chief Financial Officer
Rob Croot: Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A former PFI procurement director, Rob Croot has been the Chief Financial Officer at Lincolnshire West CCG since it was created.
He was an accountant prior to joining the NHS in 1993 and has worked across the East Midlands in senior financial leadership roles, including in acute trusts in Nottingham and Leicester.
Wendy Martin – Executive Lead Nurse and Midwife – Quality & Governance
Wendy Martin. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Wendy Martin is described as the executive lead in papers published last week which recommended the closure of the centre.
She has worked in the NHS since 1985 and for the last 12 years is said to have been focused on improving clinical services and care quality.
Dr Martin Latham – Executive GP – Quality & Governance
Dr Martin Latham. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Dr Martin Latham worked for over 30 years as a partner at Birchwood Medical Practice before retiring in 2012, and currently does some locum GP work in various surgeries in the area.
Dr John Parkin – Executive GP
Dr John Parkin. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Dr John Parkin combines his duties as Principal GP at Branston and Heighington Family Practice, with his role at Lincolnshire West CCG, which he has been a member of for over six years.
Dr Will Vessey – Executive GP
Dr Will Vessey. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
After qualifying from Edinburgh University and working in Yorkshire, Dr Will Vessey moved back to Lincolnshire in 2004 to become a GP partner in Gainsborough and is now based at the Hibaldstow Practice.
He is said to have a particular interest in the John Coupland Hospital in the town.
Dr Nazar Imam – Executive GP
Dr Nazar Imam. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Dr Nazar Imam joined Lincolnshire West CCG in April 2014. He has over 25 years of experience, including time spent as a lecturer at a medical school outside of the county, as despite repeated pleas, Lincolnshire remains one of the biggest counties without such a facility.
He started work in Gainsborough as a GP since 2009 and has also been involved in doing sessions in substance misuse clinics in Gainsborough and Lincoln Prison.
In addition to this, Dr Imam works as a GP Appraiser and Out of Hours GP Trainee Supervisor.
Dr Samrat Roychowdhury – Secondary Care Consultant
Dr Samrat Roychowdhury. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A consultant physician at Kettering General Hospital, nearly 70 miles away from the Lincoln Walk-In Centre, Dr Samrat Roychowdhury joined Lincolnshire West CCG in November 2014.
His special interests listed on the website include Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis and heart failure.
Roger Buttery – Lay Member – Governance
Roger Buttery. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As a former treasurer and clerk to the Lincolnshire Police Authority and deputy county of treasurer of Lincolnshire, Roger Buttery has been involved in the public and private sectors in the county for almost 50 years.
The qualified accountant was chair of the audit committee at the former NHS Lincolnshire for six-and-a-half years, and was a member of the governing body at the University of Lincoln.
Susan Edge – Lay Member – Patient & Public Involvement
A governor at two local primary schools, Susan Edge is lay member with responsibility for patient and public involvement at Lincolnshire West CCG.
She is a trustee of the soundLINCS not-for-profit community music organisation.
She was not present at the meeting.
Graham Smith – Lay Member – Primary Care Commissioning
Graham Smith. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Graham Smith formally joined Lincolnshire West CCG on April 1, 2015 after amassing 30 years of experience in the NHS.
Now retired, he specialised in taking on troubleshooting roles in failing organisations, and held chief executive posts in mental health/learning disability and acute NHS trusts.
He later became an independent management consultant, where he used his expertise in organisational and financial turnaround and performance management.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: