Talks on hospital future to start after election

The trust that runs Goole and District Hospital has confirmed it will hold further talks with staff, the public and community groups over the future of services at the site following the local and mayoral elections.

The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said it would discuss "ideas and options for the hospital and for the delivery of health services", after the elections on 1 May.

Concerns were raised in December after several staff members told the BBC they had been called to a meeting and told a number of wards would be closing.

In a statement, the trust said there were "no plans" to close the hospital.

It was "committed to developing sustainable services for the future", the statement added.

The trust has consistently denied having any firm proposals about the future of the site.

In a wide-ranging statement, posted on its website, the trust said it would evaluate demand for mobile CT and MRI scan provision.

It said it would also undertake a review of theatre provision to determine if Goole would be suitable as a regional centre for some types of surgery.

The trust described the process as "a complicated piece of work" and said it would take up to six months to complete.

Hundreds of people voiced their concerns about the future of services at a public meeting in January. An online petition has attracted more than 10,500 signatures.

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