Health chiefs yesterday brought down the axe on the Lincoln Walk-In-Centre despite 94% of those surveyed voting against the move. We asked elected leaders and health groups how they will be responding in the interests of the public.
The announcement followed an exercise that saw thousands of people object to the move in an official consultation, combined with protests and petitions.
Leaders in the city gave their reactions to the confirmed closure:
Health Secretary appeal
Lincoln MP Karen Lee
Member of Parliament for Lincoln Karen Lee said: “As a healthcare professional, I understand that the delivery of health care changes and evolves with the passing of time. However, I am not supportive of the closure of the walk-in centre because it is my belief that its closure is a downgrading of the health provision my constituents will be able to access.
“Further to that, I am uncomfortable that the consultation process undertaken does not appear to have been a meaningful one, given that 94% of respondents expressed the wish for the walk-in-centre to remain open and the voice of local people has been ignored.
“The walk-in centre’s closure is likely to put A&E under an even greater strain than it already is. I have seen first-hand the pressures the hard-working A&E professionals are already experiencing.
“The decision by the CCG needs to be reviewed.
“I will be writing to Jeremy Hunt MP to request the decision is reviewed on the basis that the provisions are not sufficient in ensuring an effective level of care.
“It is my sincere view that the chronic underfunding of our NHS by the current government has meant our local CCG has been forced to make these unpopular changes to local healthcare provisions.”
‘Funding crisis’ a main factor
Sarah Fletcher is the CEO of Healthwatch Lincolnshire
Sarah Fletcher, CEO of local watchdog Healthwatch Lincolnshire, said: “Healthwatch Lincolnshire feel it is too soon to understand what if any real changes have happened.
“Whilst we have been given updates from reports produced by the CCG, for Healthwatch reports only tell part of the story.
“If West CCG have not done all their homework properly, then it will become apparent very quickly that any additionally provided services will not meet demand.
“However, we would agree that patients have a range of services available that should be considered including talking to a pharmacist. The concern comes when patients feel they are being forced to make ‘self-diagnosis and treatments’ rather than going to visit their GP, believing the messages are suggesting this
“At this moment in time we do not believe there is any chance the decision to close the Walk in Centre can be altered.
“The serious funding issues the 4 CCGs in Lincolnshire are facing, coupled with the fact that organisations such as United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust are facing significant funding crisis, has been one of the main reasons West CCG has made the decision to close.”
Further evidence needed
Councillor Carl Macey, Chairman of the Health Scutiny Committee for Lincolnshire
Councillor Carl Macey, Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “In December, the Health Scrutiny Committee heard from the CCG about work to improve access to GPs, the development of alternative provisions to the Walk-In Centre and plans to promote these.
“The committee were satisfied that progress is being made but requested further evidence to be presented to our February meeting, to substantiate this.
“The committee has always expressed concerns that the Walk-In Centre should only be closed when these alternatives are fully in place and are shown to be providing what those patients need, without putting extra pressure on A&E in particular.
“We will be looking to the CCG to provide the evidence so the committee can be assured of this before any further actions are decided.”
‘A&E won’t be impacted’
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Jan Sobieraj
Chief Executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, which runs hospitals in the county, Jan Sobieraj said: “We have been reassured that the closure of the Lincoln walk-in centre won’t impact the A&E department and are pleased that additional services for patients will be in place for local residents.
“We remain committed to working closely with our partners to ensure that patients are directed to the services that can best meet their needs and attendances at our A&Es are focused on seriously ill patients.”
Challenging times
Andrew Morgan, chief executive of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust
Lincolnshire Community Health Services Trust was contracted by Lincolnshire West CCG to provide services at the Walk-In-Centre. Many members of staff have already left the centre.
Andrew Morgan, chief executive of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “We have been working closely with the CCG to ensure any transition period can be managed safely in the interests of our patients and staff.
“The walk-in-centre team has shown an exceptional level of professionalism and dedication throughout this process.
“While it has, at times, proved challenging, the team have continued to provide an excellent service and has been grateful for all of the messages of gratitude and support from members of the public.”
City of Lincoln Council Leader Richard Metcalfe was also contacted by The Lincolnite, but he did not give a response by the time of publishing.
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Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “In Lincoln, we are very fortunate to have some incredible parks and green spaces, with Hartsholme Country Park being a much-loved spot for families and visitors.
“The park has been especially popular over the last two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, being a haven for residents to enjoy outdoor spaces close to their homes.
“I would urge anyone to help us crown this fabulous park as one of the UK’s favourites.”
Once voting has closed on 18 August, the one park with the highest number of votes in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland will be shortlisted.
The overall winner of UK’s Favourite Parks 2022 will be revealed in late-August.
Works to make the A52 Somerby Hill roundabout larger, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, are now finished.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “People in and around Grantham will be very happy to know that the A52 Somerby Hill roundabout is now fully back open without any traffic management.
“Over the past eleven months, the team has worked tirelessly to make the roundabout larger as part of the relief road project. Not only did this include fully rebuilding sections of the roundabout, but the team also installed new drainage, street lighting and kerbs here.
“Moving forward, the team will be installing four sets of bridge piers and preparing a planning amendment for the new River Witham/East Coast Main Line bridge. We’ll also be focusing on completing the section of new road to the east, between the new mid-route development and Somerby Hill roundabouts.
“I want to thank everyone for bearing with us while we upgraded the roundabout and for your patience moving forward as continue building your new Grantham Southern Relief Road.”
The Grantham Southern Relief Road project is being led by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by South Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Highways England, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Homes England and local businesses.
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