Micro-lab rethink on the cards
Controversial plans to close a laboratory at Lincoln County Hospital may have to be reconsidered.
A council committee last night agreed to rethink its view on the proposed closure of the microbiology lab, which is used to diagnose illnesses such as meningitis and MRSA.
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A scientist at work
Members of Lincolnshire County Council's health scrutiny committee decided new evidence had emerged which might make transferring the lab's work to Scunthorpe unnecessary – because the Lincoln lab was fit for purpose.
Members may now decide to refer the potential closure to Health Secretary Alan Johnson when it meets again on December 3.
Lincoln MP Gillian Merron welcomed the news.
"I am pleased that the Lincolnshire health scrutiny committee has agreed to hold a special meeting to look at new evidence on the lab's future," she said.
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by Health Scrutiny Committee Observer, Council Chambers
Friday, November 21 2008, 1:48PM
“One thing I don't understand is that in evidence submitted to the Health Scrutiny Committee, Path Links showed in its estimates of future costs, that it would carry on paying £109k per year for the lease of the lab buildings (including services such as portering, maintenance, internal phones) to ULHT up until at least 2012/13 (furthest the table goes). This seems strange when the lab will be vacated in 2009. Why is one NHS body giving another NHS body £109k per year for the foreseeable future, for nothing in return??? I think that there is more to this closure than has previously been admitted. This appears to be some sort of deal sweetner, but what do Path Links get in return for the at least a half a million pound gift to ULHT.”
by Lincoln Micro Supporter, Lincoln
Friday, November 21 2008, 12:07AM
“External inspections by national accreditation bodies state that the "building is fit for purpose". The granting of accreditation status by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Scheme) underlines the buildings fitness for purpose (CPA Accreditation still waiting for Ladies toilets problem at the Boston Lab). The Assistant Director of Facilities at ULHT states "the building with general maintenance has a lifespan of another 25 years +" shows the building is fine.
Why do both Path Links and ULHT insist that a £2.5 million pound new build is needed for microbiology to carry on at Lincoln. Because it suits their aim of closing the Lincoln lab down, thankfully the committee will now expose that this is a lie.”
by Nettleham Man, Nettleham
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:35PM
“I see the A15 was shut for 9 hours today. What affect on an urgent sample travelling from Lincoln to Scunthorpe would that have. I know there are other routes, but of course they would be congested with diverted traffic as these are much smaller roads. Not good!”
by Media watcher, Lincolnshire
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:23PM
“All of the media have picked up on this very quickly. Newspapers, radio and TV. It's as if they sense blood. But I suppose if the Council Committee move forward, there is basically only one possible outcome, to refer to the Minister and surely he will find it hard to turn down a referral based on the HSC been misled. It almost seems inevitable now. Mr Bowles arrogant, conceited rant from the letters page of the Echo yesterday now appears very ill timed. It reminds me of Neil Kinnock's premature victory rally at Sheffield before the 1992 General Election, and we all know what happened there.
The media may well get their feeding frenzy.”
by Lab Rat, Lincoln
Thursday, November 20 2008, 5:53PM
“How will closure of the microbiology lab improve the quality of service to the people of Lincoln?”