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.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
Whatsapp
