Councillors criticise changes to Scunthorpe hospital services

Scunthorpe General Hospital's trauma unit and overnight emergency surgery could be moved to Grimsby

Plans to move some hospital services from Scunthorpe General Hospital would "inevitably increase health inequalities" a report has said.

NHS proposals would see the trauma unit as well as some emergency surgery and paediatric care move to Grimsby.

The Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said services would become "unsafe and unsustainable" without the changes.

But a panel of councillors said it had "fundamental concerns".

Under the plans, some services would only be hosted at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital

The report from Humber and Lincolnshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC), said the proposals are "potentially damaging" and could breach the NHS constitution.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the panel also said potential transport problems, which could see patients travel miles for appointments, were an "afterthought".

Who is on the JHOSC?

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council

• Hull City Council

• Lincolnshire County Council

• North East Lincolnshire Council

• North Lincolnshire Council

A 14-week public consultation into the proposal ended in early January with councillors in North Lincolnshire previously branding it "woeful".

The authority also said it would look to launch a judicial review if it felt local residents views were "not given the weight they deserve".

But a spokesperson for the ICB described the feedback from residents, NHS staff and other stakeholders as "rich and valuable" and said it would be "carefully analysed and considered".

The recommendations are due to be made to the ICB public board in May.