Government not to intervene with Scunthorpe Hospital changes
The Council leader says residents will be "furious"
The Government will not intervene over planned changes to service provision at Scunthorpe General Hospital. Almost a year since North Lincolnshire councillors unanimously requested the NHS Humber Acute Services review was called in by Government, the council has finally had a response.
Health Minister Karin Smyth MP has stated in a letter that the Government will not use powers under Schedule 10A of the National Health Service Act 2006 to intervene. In the letter, dated November 28 and addressed to council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds Ward), Ms Smyth says “it is clear that the changes proposed do not pose a threat to the viability of Scunthorpe General Hospital”.
The changes approved by the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) last year followed a significant public consultation. Proposals for Scunthorpe General Hospital to no longer treat child patients requiring an overnight stay were dropped after this.
But a number of changes that involve the pooling of services to other hospitals in the NHS, such as Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, remained. The changes include:
Scunthorpe’s trauma unit to close, and it to merge into Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.
Adult patients with heart, lung or stomach problems who may need a more than 72 hours stay in hospital will be seen to at Grimsby only.
Emergency surgeries will be parcelled up between hospitals, dependent on the type of surgery involved – ophthalmology will be at Hull Royal Infirmary, urology at Scunthorpe General, as is already the case, gynaecology at both Scunthorpe and Grimsby, while trauma and orthopaedics, acute general surgery, and ear, nose throat (ENT) emergency surgeries would be consolidated at Grimsby.
It has been estimated the changes would impact seven hospital patients a day, which equates to about 2,500 a year. Scunthorpe General Hospital’s A&E Department will not close.
In December 2024, North Lincolnshire councillors unanimously agreed to ask the Health Secretary to call the NHS decision in. A decision from the Department for Health and Social Care has taken some time.
It has now finally come with Ms Smyth’s letter. In it, she apologises for the delay.
“I am sorry it has taken me some time to respond. As you know, this is a complex reconfiguration proposal and subsequently the due diligence that my officials have been required to undertake and the careful consideration that I have needed to give has taken some time.”
She states she consulted the Independent Reconfiguration Panel for advice on issues raised by the council, and also discussed it with NHS England’s regional director of North East and Yorkshire, Fiona Edwards. “The changes proposed do not pose a threat to the viability of Scunthorpe General Hospital,” Ms Smyth states, adding it “will remain a vital part of the health economy in the area”.
The Health Minister acknowledges, however, concerns raised “point to the need for stronger engagement with local people”, including elected representatives. “That is why I have asked the Region to pay particular attention to ensuring this happens.”
Ms Smyth states she is satisfied an appropriate clinical review has taken place. “I will be seeking regular updates from the region on the development of the reconfiguration, ensuring that they deliver the best possible outcome for patients and for taxpayers’ money,” she confirms.
Council leader reaction
In response, Cllr Waltham claims that “residents will be furious” He said: “The Government had a clear opportunity to stand up for people in North Lincolnshire and protect vital NHS services. They recognised the risks, they saw the warnings, and yet they have chosen to walk away.”
He added: “We will continue to hold those making these decisions to account and press them on every single commitment they make, but we cannot ignore the reality – communities have fought too hard for their hospital to see it diminished, and they deserved support to fight with them. Instead, they have been left to face this alone.”