31 October 2005
Health union Amicus says that the closure of a ward at Grantham hospital is putting patient's lives at risk.
The union says that the closure of a surgical ward at the hospital in September which resulted in the loss of forty beds, has put terrible pressure on staff and services in the hospital's A&E department.
United Lincolnshire Trust's £8 million deficit has resulted in the closure of a 40 bed ward at Grantham hospital which has increased pressure on other acute wards, including surgical and orthopaedic wards and led to the hospital's A&E department being overwhelmed and there being no intensive care beds available for critically ill patients.
The union is joining with the local Labour Group at South Kesteven District Council, in calling for the resignation of the Chairman of Grantham Hospital Trust and the Board of the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust.
Amicus is also demanding the reinstatement of an A&E manager who they say is being scapegoated for trying to help patients affected by increased waiting time and delays caused by the A&E department being overwhelmed.
Nev Jackson, Amicus' Regional Secretary for the East Midlands, said:
"This is an appalling situation and one that is certainly compromising hospital services and patient care and may ultimately endanger lives. Senior heads need to roll for allowing an £8 million deficit to occur but it's patients and staff that are being left to deal with the catastrophic consequences."
Grantham councillor, Mike Williams, said:
"Grantham hospital needs to serve the 40,000 residents of Grantham and thousands more from surrounding rural areas. It's A&E department can struggle to cope at the best of times but the situation it's facing now is absolutely untenable and unsafe."
Amicus say that an hours travelling time to the nearest other hospitals, Lincoln County, Boston and the Queen's Medical centre in Nottingham, all a minimum of 27 miles away, is threatening lives.
For further information, please contact Catherine Bithell in the Amicus press office on 20 7 420 8909 or 07958 473 224
