Hospital trust to decide future of two departments in face of 'critical' staffing problem

The trust which runs hospitals in North Lincolnshire and Goole could be set to restructure two departments - in the face of a "critical" staffing problem.

Board members at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust will debate the future of its urology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) services at a meeting today.

Despite recruitment drives, both services remain understaffed and clinicians have recommended that "action is urgently required".

Its hospitals in Grimsby and Scunthorpe deliver round-the-clock emergency urology care, which centres around the urinary tract and male reproductive organs.

The trust says it needs six consultants to safely maintain that service but it has had to rely on locums who are moving on - leaving it with only three consultants by September.

Similarly, emergency ENT care is delivered at both the Grimsby and Scunthorpe sites 24/7. It says five consultants are needed but only two are in post.

A decision on the future of both services is set to be made today ahead of possible changes coming into force from September 1.