Staff at Grantham Hospital fear that with just one ward being used, its operators may use the pandemic as an excuse to further downgrade the hospital once the crisis is over.

But Andrew Morgan, chief executive of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, rejected such a suggestion.

The ULHT boss made the response to a question from Grantham councillor and hospital campaigner Ray Wootten, who says he has been contacted by hospital staff who fear for the hospital's future.

They have also told Coun Wootten that staff are also being redeployed to Boston and other ULHT hospitals.

Mr Morgan was quizzed when he appeared on BBC Radio Lincolnshire earlier today.

He told presenter Melvyn Prior, who read out Coun Wootten's question: "We are not looking to downgrade the site. I can reassure people on that."

Mr Morgan said national policy was to expand ward capacity to deal with an expected 'surge' of coronavirus cases.

"It is deliberate we have large swathes of a hospital empty."

The trust has some 465 empty beds, he continued, as the trust has cancelled elective surgery and other treatments to help prepare for the pandemic.

"It's a deliberate policy. I can assure Coun Wootten, it's not some backdoor way to downgrade Grantham."

"The A&E at Grantham is still there. The other services are still there."

Mr Morgan added, A&E is quieter than normal and he hoped people would still attend it for treatment rather than "suffering at home."

Mr Wootten told Grantham Nub News that only the AEU Ward is being used to treat patients, with the rest of the hospital wards closed.

Noting the end of 24/7 A&E services at Grantham more than three years ago, he said based on previous experience, this is why staff "are fearing for the future of Grantham."

He continued:"Once this emergency is over I look to the CEO Andrew Morgan to give assurance that Grantham Hospital along with its current facilities will be re-established."

Coun Wootten also commented: "As we approach the end of the 5th week of lockdown, I wish to once again thank all NHS staff across the country for their dedication and hard work fighting the coronavirus and for selflessly caring for all citizens."