Title: Scunthorpe Residents Invited to Share Views on Hospital’s Future
The people of Scunthorpe are being invited to voice their views on the future of Scunthorpe General Hospital. North Lincolnshire Council has launched a six-week public consultation to gather opinions and ideas from local residents. This follows the government’s decision to refrain from interfering in the National Health Service’s plan to reallocate services from the hospital. Rob Waltham, the council leader, emphasised the significance of community engagement, stating, ‘Like many residents, I was born in Scunthorpe Hospital and care deeply about the health services it provides. I am determined to ensure their voices are heard.’
The intent behind this exercise is to use the gathered feedback in order to build a stronger case for enhanced investment and required improvements at the hospital. The NHS Humber Acute Services review has outlined plans to close the trauma unit at Scunthorpe and redistribute emergency surgeries across hospitals in Hull and northern Lincolnshire. Despite prior requests by the council for an examination of the plan by the government, Health Minister Karin Smyth MP has confirmed that the government will not intervene. However, she recognised the hospital’s ongoing role in the local health system and hinted at potential further investments. Previous funding under the former government included a £17.3 million Accident and Emergency development and a £19.4 million community diagnostics centre in Scunthorpe town centre. Waltham commented, ‘This consultation is about listening and understanding what residents value the most, where they believe investment should be concentrated, and how we can develop a plan that will be impossible to overlook.’
