Health bosses in charge of the NHS in Lincolnshire have said that services are struggling in the county and face challenges in the future.
It comes as chief executives from trusts and clinical commissioning groups in the region took questions from members of the public at an event organised by Healthwatch Lincolnshire.
NHS bosses took questions on the Sustainability and Transformation Plan and services in Grantham, as well as other topics.
The panel included Jan Sobieraj, Chief Executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, John Turner, Chief Executive of South West Lincolnshire CCG and lead for the STP, and Dr Jeremy Phipps, of the Lincolnshire Medical Committee.
Members of the public at the Healthwatch event held at Bishop Grosseteste University. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Also present were Andrew Morgan, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Community Health Services, and Dr John Brewin, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Mr Turner said that the services in the county faced challenges and that plans for a shake-up of health provision will be significant.
“I think that we have been clear that we are struggling,” he said.
“The plans for the STP are exactly that, its a plan and a plan for our future.”
He added that the health service has challenges with recruiting staff and retaining them in Lincolnshire.
Dr Jeremy Phipps, Lincolnshire Medical Committee. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Mr Sobieraj said that the A&E service was closed overnight with a “heavy heart”.
He said: “It was simply a judgement about the risk.
“It is not permanent, we have no right to do that without a consultation.”
He added that the trust will be waiting until the STP is published until making any decision on the overnight closure.
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
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