That now looks likely to become permanent, meaning around five patients per week who would have had surgery at Grantham will now go to other hospitals.
The PCT says hospitals that perform a high number of complex operations and have access to a wide range of specialist services are safer for patients.

Hub for Health
The PCT wants to create a single telephone number for people to access healthcare 24 hours a day.
It says the system will help patients find specialists to deal with their needs quickly and reduce the strain on other parts of the health service.

Outpatient services
Under the new plans hospitals will no longer provide follow-up care.
Instead 3,000 more outpatient appointments will be held in other NHS facilities in the Grantham area.

Day case surgery
More surgery will be carried out as day cases, reducing the need for overnight stays in hospital.
An extra 1,500 day case procedures will be carried out at Grantham Hospital.

Maternity
Grantham's midwife-managed maternity unit is recognised as a high quality service, but deals with only 100 births a year.
The PCT says it will look for ways to increase the use of the facility - and that unless it can reach 400 deliveries within the unit and at home it could close.