MP confirms plans to cut Gainsborough hospital services are untrue

John Coupland Hospital is run by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, but some services such as diagnostics are provided by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT).

ULHT revealed plans to review some of the services it provides.

Gainsborough s MP Sir Edward Leigh: "I recently wrote to the NHS regarding the future of the John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough after there were rumours that the NHS was pulling units out of the hospital.

"Happily, the local NHS has confirmed there are no plans to remove units from the hospital and that the rumours were due to an incorrect miscommunication.

"The vaccine rollout shows how useful community health facilities are for keeping us all in good health."

Director of Finance and Digital for ULHT, Paul Matthew, said: “It had been agreed by the local health system that we will review what services are provided and by who in peripheral locations, which includes Gainsborough. We are committed to providing accessible services across a range of locations as well as increasingly using telephone and video consultations.

"Where face to face appointments are needed, we need to review who is best placed to provide these services and ensure the right mix of specialties are catered for. Details of what may change are yet to be decided.

"ULHT is committed to undertaking appropriate engagement and, where necessary, consultation to help in shaping the future service arrangements.”

Back in December last year after hearing about the review, Elliot Dean, UNISON East Midlands regional organiser, said: “UNISON told hospital bosses that if they didn’t immediately remove these damaging proposals; we would do everything within our power to expose their careless behaviour and support our members to take action to defend local healthcare services.

"Not only would the plans have seen lots of experienced NHS staff be forced out of work, but it would have had a major impact on patient care in and around Gainsborough.”