Johnson Hospital to lose its injuries unit?

The Johnson Community Hospital in Spalding will no longer deal with walk-in minor injuries if a major review of emergency care in Lincolnshire is approved.

The hospital, which operates as a non-appointment unit for minor injuries in the South Holland area, is in the firing line to be re-categoried.

If the proposed reforms are approved, it will only be open as a GP hub and patients will need to call 111 to make an appointment to be seen.

The county council Health Scrutiny Committee was told that there will be public “engagement” on the proposals next year.

There are currently three hospitals classed as minor injury units: the Johnson, Sleaford and Gainsborough’s John Coupland Hospital.

“Care Commissioning Groups recommended the existing Minor Injures Units at Spalding, Sleaford and Gainsborough will be re-designated as GP Extended Access Hubs,” said a report before members on Wednesday.

This means it offers appointments for patients registered with other practices in the area but they must book via the 111 phone service.

“These services are being appointment based services mainly or entirely accessed via telephone or other referral (most out-of-hours services) or dedicated primary care service such as a GP practice.”
Urgent treatment centres will be established at the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston; Lincoln County, Stamford and Skegness. These will be classed as Type 3 A&E departments which may be nurse or doctor-led.

“In the future, all facilities must have in common the offer of booked, urgent appointments accessed through NHS 111,” the report added.

District and county council member Chris Brewis, is vice chairman of the committee.

“I have very deep concerns about this issue and need to ask a lot of questions about it,” he said.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire will also be scrutinising the move.

“While we recognise change is often inevitable and can sometimes provide a better service, on behalf of the people of

Lincolnshire, we will be seeking reassurance that robust, open and transparent engagement and consultation will be an essential part of the overall process,” said its chief executive officer Sarah Fletcher.

The move comes in the wake of a controversial move to transfer patients from the former Pennygate Surgery to a replacement service at the Johnson Hospital.

There was an outcry among the patients, many of who were in walking distance of Pennygate, about access to the new service. The surgery closed after the retirement of its lead GP.

A transition period from January to the end of May is reported and there will be “engagement planning” with the public, affected staff and key stakeholders in the process.

The entire review is aimed to reduce strain on A&E departments while improving patient convenience.