Lincolnshire CCG Acute Services Review plans will include the downgrade of Grantham Hospital Accident Emergency Unit to an Urgent Treatment Centre. Other sweeping changes will see a further loss of emergency services and a reduction in the hospital treatment of seriously ill elderly patients with increased use of care in the community.

The area has a mixed rural & urban community with residents & businesses in over 40 villages and 4 towns. Public transport is poor with virtually no bus service in the evenings & overnight. The area has a significant number of single parent households and low income households. Many have no car.

Lives will be put at risk. Despite issues with the East Midlands Ambulance Service and the nearest alternative hospitals with A&E departments struggling to cope, the CCG propose to make critically ill patients travel from Grantham for 45 minutes or more to get help elsewhere. At least 700 patients a year will be affected according to the CCG.