Day care ward is set to stay open

A hospital ward set for closure has been given a reprieve.

The adult day care unit at Lincoln County Hospital could have shut as part of a plan by health care managers to reduce a budget deficit of £8m.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust decided not to take the action after consultation with patients and staff.

Research concluded closing the ward could lead to delays with doctors and patients having to spend more time travelling between different hospitals.

Thousands treated

Alternative plans and ideas will be developed for the unit instead.

Peter Howie, hospital director said: "We had an idea that was put forward and we consulted on that idea, you could call it a U-turn but we haven't actually decided to do it in the first place.

"What we have found from the consultation is a large number of staff and some patients have come forward with some ideas about how to make it better."

The unit carries out simple and quick surgery and treats in region of 4-5,000 patients a year.