Proposals to move some hospital services out of Scunthorpe General Hospital to Grimsby require proper consultation, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
A 14-week public consultation has been launched by NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) into whether some services can be provided solely from Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
The services earmarked for closure at Scunthorpe include a trauma unit, overnight emergency surgery, and specialist teams for heart, lung and stomach conditions. Paediatric overnight care for children and young people who need to stay in hospital for more than 24 hours would also be affected.
Politicians at North Lincolnshire Council objected the proposals at a meeting last week.
Now UNISON is calling on the public to engage with the consultation to make their feelings on the proposals known.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Ashley Harper said: “This would affect everyone in Scunthorpe, not just workers at the hospital who could be relocated 30 miles away.
“It would mean vital services that are currently on the doorstep would be 45 minutes away – and nursing and clinical support roles will either be at risk of moving sites, or being redeployed.
“But it’s not just staff who’ll be impacted. Having a poorly child have to stay in hospital overnight is stressful enough for a parent, without having to factor in driving 30 miles to get there.
“It’s now vital the public have their say on these proposals by taking part in the consultation.”