May 17, 2019 3.39 pm This story is over 58 months old

Local Democracy Weekly: The times they are a-changing’ for Lincolnshire’s health services

Services are changing gradually
A Lincolnshire West CCG Governing Body meeting. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

A service shakeup, a retiring chief executive, engaging with the public and now Lincolnshire’s NHS could see a new clinical commissioning group formed — the face of healthcare in the region is being changed.

It’s difficult times for organisations across the region. Finances are in disarray, staff are stretched and the population is ageing. One after another, the problems have taken their toll on the health service.

Grantham’s A&E was closed overnight, while a lack of doctors in Boston’s children’s ward saw the service threatened with temporary closure.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.

Health bosses decided that the county’s healthcare needed to change, despite understandable concerns.

Only this month, long-time campaigners reminded United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust of their controversial decision on Grantham and how long the town has gone without an overnight service.

But, in March, change was unveiled for the future of services in the region. It was dubbed the “Healthy Conversation” and health bosses hoped to relieve concerns that the NHS “operates behind closed doors”.

Officials sought to change their image, while also shaking up how services are delivered. Fast forward to May and other overhauls have been announced.

John Turner, Chief Responsible Officer for the Lincolnshire STP. Picture: Calvin Robinson.

John Turner, who now leads the four clinical commissioning groups in the county as the accountable officer, said health bosses want to create one CCG.

It sounds like a logical move considering that the entire region is served by different authorities who commission separate services. But, the details are scarce at the moment and no time scale has been set on when the public will learn more about this organisation.

The times are changing for the NHS, but at a gradual pace..

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from our coverage every week and insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.