Urgent Meeting Convened Over Goole Hospital’s Future

An “urgent” meeting is scheduled regarding the future of Goole and District Hospital. Several staff members informed the BBC that they had been summoned to a meeting on Friday where they were told a number of wards would be closing in the new year. Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) subsequently released a statement asserting that no decision had been made and that “disinformation” had caused “unnecessary anxiety for the local population and staff.” East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader Anne Handley stated that an “urgent meeting” would occur to “get to the bottom” of any plans or discussions. The BBC understands that hospital staff attended a meeting with NLaG chief executive Jonathan Lofthouse on Friday. Some attendees told BBC Look North that the trust was planning to close at least four inpatient departments, though outpatient care and the urgent treatment centre would remain operational. One staff member characterized the proposal as “a complete bombshell” and “extremely frightening.” Another added: “I’m utterly gutted, sad and frustrated. The timing is so bad, coming on a Friday afternoon and a few weeks before Christmas as well.” They further commented: “Our ward is like a family. We’re all really upset.” Sir David Davis, the Goole and Pocklington MP, stated he was unaware of the trust’s plans until members of the public contacted him. He said: “I’m pretty cross, frankly, that this was advanced without consulting with me, with the council and so on. “He noted the apparent contradiction: “On the one hand it appears employees of the hospital have been told that they may be losing wards. On the other hand, the trust is saying they haven’t decided.” Sir David confirmed he would meet the trust next week to “try and get to the bottom of it.” Handley indicated that an urgent meeting would take place involving herself, Sir David, ERYC chief executive Alan Menzies, and NHS officials “to get to the bottom of any plans/talks the NHS have been having.” Writing on the All About Goole Facebook page, she stated: “I can also confirm that both NHS officials are under no illusion that Goole is not prepared to go away quietly. “She added: “I have discussed the situation with our MP and he is absolutely with his residents on this, as am I.” Handley emphasized that “transparency and honesty” were essential regarding any proposals from NLaG. A spokesperson for NLaG said: “No decisions have been taken on the future of the hospital.” They continued: “There is a lot of work we have do with our staff, patients and partners to understand what we might do.” The spokesperson concluded: “We will be meeting with them to discuss potential options and their ideas in the coming months.”