Boston children’s services continue, for now

Children’s services at Boston Pilgrim will continue until the end of July after health bosses announced they have recruited enough doctors for the ward to temporarily prevent closure.

It comes after staff shortages on the paediatric ward at the hospital sparked an urgent review by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

But at a meeting organised by campaign group SOS Pilgrim, ULHT said that more doctors had been recruited to prevent any closure for the time being.

Alison Marriott, a campaigner with SOS Pilgrim, had called for “straight answers and a clear plan” ahead of the meeting at Boston Grammar School.

Under proposals by the trust, a temporary closure of the inpatients ward would have been put in place from June 4.

Other options include:

• Maintaining services as they are
• Closing paediatric services from June 4 and retaining consultant led obstetrics and neonatology until July 1 when staffing can no longer support neonatology
• Maintain current services including neonatology but stop all planned paediatric operations at both Pilgrim and Lincoln County Hospitals
• Providers across the region to cover neonatal services for Pilgrim maternity and neonatology from July 1

Boston MP Matt Warman recently sought assurances from Prime Minister Theresa May and Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price MP on the recruitment of doctors to the service.

No decision has been made on the future of the children’s ward after ULHT deferred a decision for more information on the safety of patients and impact on other service.

The board is expected to decide on the future of the children’s ward at a meeting on May 25.