Plans to restore services to Grantham hospital to pre-COVID levels – including the loss of 24/7 urgent care from June – have been given the go ahead.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust’s board voted to approve its timeline at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday.
Grantham was turned into a COVID-free site in June 2020 at the height of the first wave, with changes seeing several services diverted to other hospitals, some cancelled altogether. It also saw the hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre open 24/7.
ULHT’s Chief Executive Andrew Morgan said: “Onthewhole,Ithinkmostpeoplewouldagreethatthosechangeshavebeenasuccess.”
He added: “Thearrangementshavehadapositiveimpactonpatientsandalongsidethatgreenprovisionwehavehad the24/7UTCaswell.”
However, bosses now say that a reduction in numbers and emergency levels, an increase in vaccines and learning experiences mean some plans could now start to be restored.
A report before board members said new approaches to infection control had been developed, while the risk for non-COVID patients had increased.
They said there had been a lack of evidence supporting the continuation of the current approach.
As part of the plans:
From the start of April, elective and low risk pathways would be restored, supported by two additional operating theatres, while wards 1 and 2 would remain surgical wards. Endoscopy and MRI services will remain largely unaltered as will access to the hospice. Some chemotherapy day services will also be kept on site.
From April 6, sexual health services, some outpatient and community mental health services, children’s and women’s outpatients and dental services run by NHS trusts will return. The Marie Curie offices will also be restored.
From April 19, outpatient, diagnostic and therapy services will return with “very limited need for any interaction with the other patient services on site”. Outpatient provision will be created including provision for virtual/non face-to-face consultation. A dedicated medical and surgical rehabilitation ward is also planned for ward 6.
Finally, from June 30, emergency care services changed again to include daytime (previously 8am to 6.30pm) A&E, a same-day emergency care unit, an emergency admissions unit, access to diagnostic services and integrated support from community teams. An enhanced out-of-hours primary care service will be provided at the front of the hospital including walk-in services until 10pm and a booked service through the night.
The report before board members said response to the final proposal had been “mixed” with some feeling the 24/7 UTC should remain, while others said it should return to a full A&E.
However, Simon Evans, Chief Operating Officer said: “What this paper is not doing is seeking to make any permanent changes to [the pre-June 2020] model, it is literally just returning back to the position at that point, so we aren’t seeking to make any permanent changes to the model as part of that.”
Members were told that leaving the final changes to June would allow time to identify staff to fill rotas and ensure safety measures were in place.
They were told bosses were confident staff would be employed in that time.
Campaigners have previously said the move has sparked “grave concerns” and left unanswered questions. The trust has repeatedly said the changes are not related to separate, ongoing discussions about longer term Acute Service Review (ASR) proposals.
“TheacuteservicesreviewthatourCCGcolleagueswillhopefullyconsultoninafewmonthstime,isthemomentwhenthelongertermpositionneedstobetakenintoaccountandthatwillbeaconsultationthatourCCGcolleagues,bothproduceandleadupon,” said Mr Morgan.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
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.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!
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.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!