Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that because this was an extraordinary meeting of the council, there was no opportunity for members of the public to speak.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fines and Radley.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

No interests were declared.

“That in order to re-store public trust and confidence in our hospital service, any proposals to reduce the services currently provided at Grantham Hospital are deferred to allow for a thorough, independent review of hospital services that are required for a town the size and location of Grantham, a town which has been prioritized for development as a ‘Sub-Regional Centre’.  Furthermore that the results of this review are the subject of open and honest consultation with all the people served by Grantham Hospital before any decision is made.”

DECISION:

That in order to re-store public trust and confidence in our hospital service, any proposals to reduce the services currently provided at Grantham Hospital be deferred to allow for a thorough, independent review of hospital services that are required for a town the size and location of Grantham, a town which has been prioritised for development as a ‘Sub-Regional Centre’.  Furthermore that the results of this review be the subject of open and honest consultation with all the people served by Grantham Hospital before any decision is made.

Councillor Carpenter, on behalf of those members who submitted the motion, proposed:

That in order to re-store public trust and confidence in our hospital service, any proposals to reduce the services currently provided at Grantham Hospital be deferred to allow for a thorough, independent review of hospital services that are required for a town the size and location of Grantham, a town which has been prioritised for development as a ‘Sub-Regional Centre’.  Furthermore that the results of this review be the subject of open and honest consultation with all the people served by Grantham Hospital before any decision is made.

In proposing the motion, he explained that the key words in this were: independent, open, honest and confidence. The people of Grantham had had the sword of Damocles hanging over them for too long. Many letters from residents had shown a greatest concern over possible reduction of A&E services and this was especially pertinent given that Grantham was on a number of major roads. More people were moving into the area and by 2020, it was estimated that a further 12,000 residents would be living in the area, causing a further increase in cases of accidents and illnesses. The hospital should therefore be looking to expand, not reduce, its services. The first hour of an illness or accident was most critical and often determined whether a patient lived or died. A patient was therefore at great risk if their first hour was spent in transit to a hospital.  The call for the review was because the public needed to know what decisions were being taken about the future of Grantham Hospital. 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Bryant who reserved his right to speak on the matter later in the meeting.

The Chairman introduced Derek Bray, Chief Executive of South West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to the meeting. He in turn introduced his colleagues: Helen Scott-South, Interim Chief Executive of United Lincolnshire NHS Hospital Trust (ULH); Toby Saunders, Director of Performance at Trent Strategic Health Authority/NHS East Midlands; Melanie Hawes, Chair of South West Lincolnshire PCT; Sue Hitchenor, Director of Finance, Commissioning and Information at South West Lincolnshire PCT; Dr John Elder, General Practitioner, Corby Glen, South West Lincolnshire PCT; and Dr David Baker, General Practitioner, Grantham, South West Lincolnshire PCT. Mr Bray then expressed his apologies for the handling of communication with the general public and council on the proposals for Grantham Hospital, as it has not been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The meeting closed at 6.05p.m.