A joint briefing from the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, Humber Health Partnership and various stakeholders took place in 2025 to discuss and consider the opportunities of healthcare in Goole. Healthwatch attended two public drop-in events to listen to experiences, thoughts, concerns and questions surrounding this subject. Their findings from the two events are contained in this report to share with services, and other stakeholders so they have an understanding of public experiences, concerns and thoughts about the future of health care in Goole.

This document provides a comprehensive snapshot of local sentiment regarding Goole Hospital. It highlights the importance of maintaining and improving local services, the challenges faced by both staff and patients, and the need for transparent communication and genuine public involvement in healthcare decisions.

Key points:

NHS Reputation & Trust

• There is a strong feeling of mistrust between Goole residents and NHS leaders, with concerns about funding being diverted from Goole to other hospitals (Scunthorpe and Grimsby).
• Calls for greater openness, transparency, and truth from health trust leadership.

Staff Perspectives & Concerns

• Mixed feelings among hospital staff about the future of Goole Hospital, including worries about redeployment, increased travel, and job security.
• Staff value the hospital’s “family” atmosphere and believe certain services (minor injuries, nurse-led clinics, orthopaedics, eye clinics) are essential to retain locally.
• Concerns about staff capacity and the need for more recruitment if services expand.

Service User Experiences

• Many praised the quality and accessibility of services at Goole Hospital, especially for minor injuries, scans, and outpatient care.
• Some negative experiences were reported, such as long wait times and confusion over referrals to other hospitals for procedures that could be done locally.

Accessibility & Travel

• Significant concern about the impact of travelling to other hospitals (Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Hull, Doncaster) for appointments, especially for those without transport or support networks.
• Financial and practical challenges of travel, including expensive public transport and parking, were highlighted.
• Calls for improved local provision and extended MediBus service hours.

Communication Issues

• Feedback indicated that NHS communications are often filled with jargon and lack clarity, fuelling rumours and confusion about the hospital’s future.
• Residents want clearer information about available services and future plans for Goole Hospital.

Service Provision & Future Concerns

• Widespread fear of declining services and potential closure of Goole Hospital.
• Residents and staff believe more services should be provided locally, not fewer, especially as the population grows.
• Concerns about the lack of mental health services, rehabilitation, and palliative care in Goole.
• Calls for better integration of systems and databases across services.

Recommendations and Next Steps

• The report will be shared with NHS leaders and relevant committees, with findings presented to inform future decisions.
• Healthwatch recommends analysing missed appointments (DNAs) to understand travel-related barriers for patients.
• The organisation encourages ongoing independent feedback mechanisms and invites further public engagement.