Scunthorpe MP calls for urgent meeting on hospital changes
Sir Nic Dakin (Labour) wants a meeting with the NHS England Regional Director
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. He will also seek to bring together all key stakeholders “to ensure that Scunthorpe General’s future is secure”, and local people “have the best access to the care they need”. Because of “significant churn” in local NHS leadership, he said “it’s vital that we come together and ensure that our care provision is the best it possibly can be.”
Sir Nic said the current Government “has reviewed the situation in a comprehensive way. It’s positive that the Health Minister makes clear that Scunthorpe General Hospital will remain a vital part of the health economy in the area and underlines the strong need for engagement with local people as the review moves forward.”
There is no timeline yet on when the changes will happen. This is because it is at the enabling stage currently.
What the local NHS says
The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) agreed to revised changes in July 2024 after a 14-week public consultation. “They were designed to ensure patients in northern Lincolnshire receive safe, sustainable, and consultant-led care seven days a week,” said an ICB spokesperson.
“These changes are not about reducing investment or cutting costs but about improving clinical outcomes and addressing longstanding workforce challenges. We are pleased the Minister of State for Health recognises the proposals ‘do not pose a threat to the viability of Scunthorpe General Hospital’ and will not be ‘calling in’ the decision.”
The ICB spokesperson added it and its partners “remain committed to patient safety and quality of care”, as well as reducing health inequalities, and working with partners to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups. “We would hope to continue to work closely with North Lincolnshire Council and other stakeholders to address ongoing concerns they may have around transport and access.”
An NHS Humber Health Partnership spokesperson said: “We are pleased with the Minister’s decision which enables us to implement our proposed changes. We listened carefully to the concerns put forward by the council and suggested additional mitigations.
“We are confident these would provide that extra support to the very small number of patients who may be affected by these changes, which is around seven people a day.”
Councillors’ stances
North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds Ward) has argued the Government had “chosen to walk away” and it leaves the area “dangerously exposed”. But Labour opposition group leader Cllr Len Foster (Brumby) criticised this response.
“Let us not forget that it was the previous Government that started this process and at one point proposed the closure of the hospital altogether,” he said. He clarified this referred to the review’s emergence in 2018 and closure or ‘cottage hospital status’ options he said were mooted then.
“It’s this Labour Government that has shown its commitment to Scunthorpe General Hospital, and to the health of North Lincolnshire. There has been a strong cross-party campaign on this issue, and it’s disappointing to see the leader of the council reverting to cheap political attack.
“We need to come together again and ensure the best possible future for health in our area. I’m committed to working with our Member of Parliament, and others, and I trust Cllr Waltham will join me.”