More than three-quarters of consultants at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust have declared no confidence in the chief executive and executive leadership of Humber Health Partnership, raising questions about governance, local accountability and the impact of the current group structure on services in Northern Lincolnshire.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) are one of two NHS organisations within Humber Health Partnership, alongside Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Hull Trust has been ranked by NHS England as bottom of its list of 134 Trusts.

The consultants stated that “many staff feel decisions affecting services are being made without sufficient local influence or engagement.” They said that worries about governance, local accountability, patient safety and workforce morale had not been adequately acknowledged or acted upon, leading to a loss of confidence in the group leadership.

In the letter, the consultants wrote: “We regret to inform you that we have reached the point where we have no confidence in the group chief executive and the current executive leadership’s handling of the Humber Health Partnership group structure, and its impact on NLAG services.”

The correspondence followed the appointment of Lyn Simpson as group chief executive in May, after a period serving on an interim basis since July 2025. The consultants argued that the current management model had not delivered the “local accountability, leadership focus or responsiveness required for NLAG services.” They said they had previously advanced alternative proposals for NLAG’s future governance, expressing a preference for “the full restoration” of NLAG as an independent organisation with its own board and executive team, working in collaboration with the Hull trust.

A spokesperson for the partnership said that “a significant part” of the consultants’ correspondence related to NLAG’s future organisational arrangements, which were already under active consideration through a review supported by NHS England and external consultants. “The review is expected to conclude in the coming weeks and will then be considered,” the spokesperson said. “The chair has responded directly to the colleagues concerned. Our focus remains on completing the organisational review and reaching decisions based on its conclusions in the interests of our 19,500 colleagues and the 1.8 million people we serve.”

NHS England also confirmed its stance in support of the partnership’s leadership. A spokesperson said: “We’ve been clear about the need to tackle the long-standing and challenging issues at the trust, and the leadership team retain our full support.”

In practical terms, it is clear that it is a time of great uncertainty and upheaval within the Trust and whilst the Trust is not operating in an optimal manner, it is likely that the quality of care received by patients will suffer. This can result in avoidable harm to patients which can have catastrophic consequences for those that have been injured.

If you or a loved one have encountered issues with care at the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Trust and have suffered injury as a result, you may be able to bring a claim for clinical negligence. Please contact our experienced clinical negligence team to discuss how we may be able to assist.