June 18, 2020 12.23 pm This story is over 45 months old

Don’t downgrade Grantham hospital, councillors plea

They want a full public consultation

By Local Democracy Reporter

The decision to make Grantham and District Hospital a “COVID-free” facility must be reconsidered, according to Lincolnshire’s health scrutiny committee.

Plans to turn Grantham and District Hospital into a COVID-free site were approved by hospital bosses last week.

It would see the A&E facility downgraded to a 24/7 urgent treatment centre, and non-elective patients turned away by the hospital.

The plans were heavily opposed, with hundreds joining in a protest outside the hospital to voice their disapproval.

A full public consultation has been requested by the scrutiny group, determined to look into the effect a downgrade may have.

Councillor Carl Macey, chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire, said: “We share the concerns of many people in Grantham about these changes.

“They will have a significant impact on patients throughout the county, particularly in terms of travel to other sites and the downgrading of Grantham A&E.

“We have asked for regular updates on plans for the hospital and will be writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock) to make him aware of our concerns.”

The committee went on to agree to the return of a 24/7 walk-in centre, but feared that the restoration plan would have a “significant impact” throughout the county.

Lincolnshire Reporter has approached ULHT for a response.