Health bosses plan care overhaul

Officials from two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in northern Lincolnshire are examining measures to overhaul care and have already warned “hard decisions” will be required after admitting some services are “simply not good enough”.

The area’s hospitals were plunged into special measures last year amid concerns about standards but there are also wider problems caused by the ageing population.

In a new engagement exercise with local people, there was broad support for change although concerns were raised about access to services amid calls for more care to be offered in the community and outside normal working hours.

Most people said they would be prepared to travel further if care was improved amid expectations some services could be concentrated at hospitals in Grimsby or Scunthorpe or even further afield.

A report added: “There is however a call from the public for the CCGs to properly consider the practical and operational issues that have been raised such as access and transport and better integration between partners, there is also an indication that there need to be improvements in terms of staff culture.”

GP Peter Melton, chief clinical officer at North East Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Overall there has been strong support for our vision which is very encouraging. Over the next few weeks we will be producing a number of key proposals that clearly outline how services will be changing in northern Lincolnshire.”