The “death knell” has been rung for Grantham A&E, an emotional council meeting was told.
Councillor Charmaine Morgan warned that lives would be lost when seriously ill patients were sent to Lincoln instead.
She wanted South Kesteven District Council to unanimously stand against the recent decision to replace the department with a 24 hour Urgent Treatment Centre.
However, a compromise amendment was agreed on which said the council ‘deeply regretted’ the changes but didn’t oppose them.
In a passionate speech, Councillor Morgan told the meeting: “700 more people will suffer each year when they are sent from Grantham to Lincoln. This is the death knell of our A&E.
“Time and distance can mean the different between life and death.”
Her motion warned: “Any loss of care will result in the most sick, most vulnerable, the disabled and those without cars having to travel furthest for acute medical treatment.”
Councillor Charmaine Morgan at a protest to save the A&E | Photo: Steve Smailes/Lincolnshire Reporter
The changes would mean there would be 70 fewer acute care beds and no acute stroke care.
Fighting broke out between parties when the Conservatives tabled their own amendment, with some councillors saying it was “disappointing” they couldn’t have been united.
A compromise was eventually agreed, saying the council “deeply regrets the downgrade of emergency services and supports the return of 24/7 access. It strongly hope this will be permanent and looks forward to the expansion as the town grows further.”
Council leader Kelham Cooke said: “These decisions are ultimately made by the CCG and the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust – we aren’t the decision makers here. The important thing is we get those hospital doors open 24/7.”
Councillor Ray Wootten said he feared that patients being sent to Lincoln would face long delays after he recently endured a 13 hour wait following a stroke.
“I worry that A&E waiting times there are too long and they simply can’t cope. The wait I had was disgraceful,” he said.
Councillor Lee Steptoe walked out of the meeting in disgust early on, saying he had expected cross-party agreement but Conservatives had “thrown in the towel”.
The change is part of a shake-up of Lincolnshire’s NHS services which the CCG says will offer better care and reduced waiting times for patients.
The Urgent Treatment Centre is expected to be fully operational in the next 12 to 18 months.
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We would like to speak to him in relation to an armed incident at 12:40pm on Friday 17 June on Farebrother Street, Grimsby, close to the junction of Garner Street. No one is believed to have been harmed during the incident.
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A Lincolnshire man who lent his car to a major heroin dealer so he could source drugs for his then partner was given a suspended jail sentence.
Kevin Hislop, 43, was described as having a “limited role” in a larger conspiracy to supply heroin to the streets of Skegness.
Under cover police officers carried out test purchases of the Class A drug over several months in the Summer of 2017 in a special investigation codenamed “Operation Hazelbrook.”
Hislop admitted driving Paul Steven Wilkinson, 41, who was described as the “head of operation”, on two occasions and lending him his car for nine trips.
Lincoln Crown Court heard a total of 33 trips to ferry drugs were made from Leicester to the seaside town.
Six other people were also jailed for a total of over 21 years for their roles in the conspiracy.
Hislop, of West End, Spilsby, had been due to stand trial in July 2019 but his case was halted and then delayed because of the Covid pandemic.
When his case was re-listed following the pandemic Hislop admitted a charge of drugs conspiracy.
The court heard Hislop had admitted driving Wilkinson to Leicester on one occasion to collect some clothes when he was interviewed by police.
Almas Ben-Aribia, prosecuting, said that was in fact a lie, with Hislop making two trips with Wilkinson.
Miss Ben-Aribia added that the car in which the trips were made was registered in the name of Hislop’s then partner.
Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, said Hislop had only got involved because he was concerned for his then partner.
“It is is quite unusual, but this man’s motivation was not to get drugs for himself, but to source them for his partner,” Mr Cranmer-Brown explained.
“He was concerned that she was rattling.”
Mr Cranmer-Brown said Hislop was now in a new relationship and was a hard working man.
“His employers are aware of these proceedings, he works for an engineering company,” Mr Cranmer-Brown added.
Passing sentence Judge John Pini QC told Hislop he could avoid sending him straight to jail because of his limited role in the conspiracy and his lack of other convictions.
Judge Pini said: “The conspiracy for which I have to sentence you goes back some five years.”
Hislop was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment suspended for two years, and must also complete 180 hours of community punishment.
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