Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust announced the results of a consultation on the future of the county's health services on Monday.

Key issues for Grantham include:
A permanent end to emergency general surgery
Grantham Hospital's midwife-led maternity unit to remain open providing it can reach a target of 300 births a year
An end to stroke treatments at Grantham Hospital
More simple operations carried out at the hospital.

The meeting, held in Woodhall Spa, was told less than one person a day needs emergency surgery at the hospital and so the service cannot be sustained.

However, the maternity unit will remain in Grantham. Research has shown there is a potential for more than 800 mothers annually in the Grantham area.

PCT chief executive John McIvor said: "What we are saying now is the maternity unit is the right thing to have and we want to see it continue. We now need 300 births to take place, which is a much lower number. There are already 800 people who could give birth in Grantham hospital. We want to work with the media and the Grantham Hospital Defence Committee to promote the maternity unit. It's not about saving the hospital any more, it's about using the hospital."

Stroke victims will be transferred to other hospitals for initial care as they need the use of specialist equipment. However, rehabilitation will take place at local hospitals such as Grantham.

PCT director of strategic planning and health outcomes Martin McShane said: "It is not always the answer to get patients to the nearest hospital, as that hospital may not have a specialist with the correct knowledge.

"It is better to take patients to the best hospital the first time and follow up that treatment at other hospitals such as Grantham."

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