Scunthorpe MP seeks urgent NHS meeting over hospital changes

SIR NIC DAKIN WANTS TO ENSURE LOCAL PEOPLE ‘HAVE THE BEST ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY NEED’

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

SCUNTHORPE'S MP Sir Nic Dakin (Labour) is seeking an urgent meeting with a senior NHS figure after the Government confirmed it is not intervening over planned changes to the town’s hospital services.

Through the Humber Acute Services review, plans have been approved to consolidate some services at regional hospitals.

For Scunthorpe General Hospital, this will see its trauma unit close and merged into Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.

Adult patients with heart, lung or stomach problems who may need a more than 72 hours hospital stay will be seen at Grimsby only, and emergency surgeries will be split between hospitals, dependent on the surgery involved.

North Lincolnshire Council asked the Government to intervene, but Health Minister Karin Smyth has confirmed it will not.

An NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) spokesperson said it is pleased the Health Minister recognised the changes do not threaten the hospital’s viability.

“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the NHS England Regional Director,’ Sir Nic has stated.