There is an incredible sense of community that makes Goole such a special place to live and work, and why it’s crucial that we come together to shape the future of health and care services in our community.

The Heart of Goole

Goole is a town that thrives on its strong community spirit. Despite the challenges we face, the people here are incredibly supportive and friendly. Whether it’s attending the annual Old Goole Gala or participating in events at our community centre, there’s always a sense of togetherness that binds us all. Families support each other, and there’s a great deal of pride in being part of this community.

Overcoming Challenges Together

Like many communities, Goole has its share of challenges. Food poverty, limited access to education and jobs, and mental health issues are some of the significant hurdles we face. The physical and psychological divide created by the canal bridges adds to these difficulties, making it hard for people to access essential services and opportunities.

When a boat comes through the canal, it can take a long time to pass, causing significant delays. If you were to drive around, it can take up to an hour and twenty minutes to get to the other side of Goole. Most families only have one car, and some may not even have one, so many people rely on cycling.

The Importance of Family in Healthcare

Having healthcare facilities closer to home is essential for our communities in Goole. Many residents have to travel to Scunthorpe or Doncaster for hospital care, which can be a daunting task, especially for those without access to a car. Having family members closer to home when they are in hospital is crucial for better health outcomes. Family visits can significantly impact a patient’s recovery, providing emotional support and reducing the feeling of isolation. For elderly relatives, in particular, the ability to have frequent visits from family can make a world of difference in their recovery process.

We would love to see Goole hospital become a hub of community care, opening the café again would bring our already close-knit community together even more and provide a space for people to get together, combat loneliness and improve their health and wellbeing.

Accessibility and Equality

Accessibility and equality are at the heart of our community’s values. We strive to ensure that no one is digitally excluded. Many residents in Goole do not have access to laptops, broadband, or even smartphones, making it difficult for them to access online services. This digital exclusion is a significant barrier, especially when it comes to accessing healthcare and other essential services.

We also work hard to support our migrant communities. Many migrants face challenges in understanding and navigating the healthcare system. Language barriers and a lack of information can prevent them from accessing the care they need. We believe in providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. Our community centre aims to be a welcoming space for all, offering support and resources to help migrants integrate and access the services they need. We hope in future that there may be another community centre like ours, over the bridge in Goole Town Centre.

Looking to the Future

As we look to the future, there are three main things I hope to see happen in Goole:

1. Improved Mental Health Support: Mental health is a critical issue in our community. We need better access to mental health services, especially for young people. We house Andy’s Man Club, where 30 men come every Monday to seek help and support. Expanding mental health services, including better access to CAMHS, is something incredibly important to us.
2. Local Drug and Alcohol Addiction Support: Substance abuse is another pressing issue in Goole. We need more local support services to help individuals struggling with addiction. By providing accessible and effective addiction support, we can help people rebuild their lives and contribute positively to our community.
3. Education and Domestic Abuse Support for Women and Girls: Education is vital for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering individuals. We need better educational opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Additionally, support for those experiencing domestic abuse is crucial. Establishing a women and girls’ hub in Goole would provide a safe space for education, support, and empowerment.

A Call to Action

This review of Goole hospital services is a critical opportunity for us to voice our needs and concerns. It’s clear that so many people in our community want to be involved in shaping the future of our healthcare services. I encourage all residents to share their experiences and suggestions. Together, we can advocate for the changes we would like to see to ensure that everyone in Goole has access to the health and care services they need.

We are fortunate to have dedicated NHS staff who work tirelessly to provide the best care possible. By working together and sharing our insights, we can help them understand our unique challenges and improve the services we rely on.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our wonderful community. Let’s continue to work together to make Goole an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

*This is the opinion of a community member from Goole.

Get involved

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership want to hear what you think about health and care services in Goole and the surrounding areas.

Read more about what’s happening at Goole and District hospital

Share your thoughts and views on the future of Goole and District Hospital

Alternatively, you can email us. We’d love to hear from you. Our email address is: hnyicb.engagement@nhs.net 

Mark Townsend, a Type 2 Diabetes Patient in North Yorkshire told us about his journey into remission:

When I joined the NHS diabetes remission programme, I knew something had to change. I’d been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and while that was a wake-up call, the idea of losing weight and transforming my lifestyle felt daunting.

Fast forward a year, and I’ve gone from 16½ stone to 13 stone—and more importantly, I’m now in remission from diabetes. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been absolutely worth it. It’s been about discipline, support, and a real shift in how I live my life.

The First 6 Months: Total Diet Replacement (TDR)

The programme began with what’s called Total Diet Replacement (TDR)—a phase I was a bit sceptical about at first. For the first six months, I had four nutritionally complete shakes a day, totalling around 800 calories.

I’ll be honest: it sounded extreme, and at first, it was a shock to the system. But after the first week or two, it got easier. The shakes are designed to provide everything your body needs, so I wasn’t lacking in nutrition—just resetting my relationship with food. And once I got used to it, the simplicity was actually helpful. No decisions, no temptations, just sticking to the plan.

And it worked. The weight started to come off steadily, and I began to feel the difference not just physically, but mentally as well.

Transitioning Back to Food: Learning for Life

After six months, the next phase began: gradually reintroducing real food. This part was about learning how to eat in a way that would support my weight loss and keep the diabetes in remission. It wasn’t just about what to eat, but how to maintain balance, portion control, and healthier habits in the long term.

It was also the point where I started really enjoying food again—not as a comfort or a habit, but as fuel. And this phase helped me build a sustainable way of eating that I can stick with for life.

From Groaning to Growing—in the Gym

Exercise became an unexpected highlight of this journey. At first, the gym felt like a chore. I wasn’t fit, and it was tough going. But with time, it became something I genuinely enjoy. Working out gave me energy, helped with the weight loss, and boosted my confidence.

It’s now a routine I look forward to. It’s not about being a fitness fanatic—it’s about being consistent and feeling good in my body again.

Support That Makes the Difference

What truly helped keep me on track was the incredible support from the coaching team at Oviva who support NHS. They were with me every step of the way, helping me stay accountable, offering advice, and encouraging me through the tough days. That kind of support is what makes this programme stand out.

Remission—and a New Chapter

Today, I’m proud to say I’m in remission from type 2 diabetes. That word means everything to me. It’s not just about numbers on a scale or a glucose meter—it’s about getting my life back.

If you’re considering a programme like this, my advice is simple: be honest, stick with it, lean on the support around you, and don’t give up. The first few weeks are the hardest, but the transformation is worth every bit of effort.

This programme didn’t just help me lose weight—it gave me the tools to live a longer, healthier, and more empowered life.

Goole is a lovely little hospital that feels very different from a large, main hospital site. It is smaller, and many of the people who work here have been part of our team for a long time. Every week, one of the staff might say, “Mrs. Smith’s here—you know, the one who runs the post office.” Everyone is related to someone, and it’s a real community feel here in Goole. Local villages see this hospital as their main centre, and many of our staff have grown up together and look out for each other. It’s not uncommon to see a member of staff helping a wandering patient by asking, “Are you lost?” 

Our hospital is nestled right in the middle of the community, surrounded by green space, which makes it a calming and quiet place. I would love to see Goole and District Hospital becoming even more of a community hub. Re-opening the café, for instance, would bring back the days when people would come in for Sunday lunch, and even the local police would join us for a meal. It brought all aspects of the community together. 

The Importance of Goole and District Hospital 

This hospital means an awful lot to an awful lot of people. Our staff are passionate about the future of our local health and care in Goole and surrounding areas, as are the community that we serve. Goole is an underprivileged area with many elderly people with significant healthcare needs. These people need certain healthcare services on their doorstep, not 30 miles away. 

Consider the journey from Goole to Hull: it involves a lot of stops on the bus and is a 2-hour journey (it also costs money for those without bus passes). Once there, you have just over an hour to get everything done before catching the last bus back, that’s not much time at all. For those who are breathless or fatigued, this journey is nearly impossible, both physically and financially. Transport is a major issue, and many patients choose not to go for investigations because they can’t afford it or feel too poorly. This leads to worse health outcomes and an extra burden on the social care sector and families. 

Enhancing Local Services 

We believe that with more diagnostic facilities here, many patients wouldn’t need to travel further afield. It’s the same for other services too, for example anyone needing stroke rehab currently has to go to Hull, which is miles away from home and people’s families and support networks. This often results in elderly patients refusing rehab because they can’t be near their loved ones. Additionally, there are often delays in getting care packages, leading to long waits and extra costs for families.  

We know there is a commitment from local health and care leaders to review all of this and plan for a future that meets the needs of today’s challenges whilst making the best use of limited money and resources. 

A Call to Action 

We believe in keeping patients where the resources are and in the right place. Palliative care (supporting people with life-limiting illness) is sparse, with the nearest hospices in Scunthorpe, Hull, and York. We believe we could do more palliative care here but would love to know what other people think about this. 

We also believe we could support our health and care network by specialising in certain areas to alleviate some of these pressures that other local hospitals experience, for example with waiting lists. We know it can be hard to attract doctors and nurses to work in areas like Scunthorpe and Grimsby but if we can look at staff working cross-site, that could offer more opportunities. 

Join the Conversation 

We now have a unique opportunity to shape the future of health and care services in Goole, and we want everyone to be a part of it. Your voice matters, and we are eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on how we can improve and innovate our services. We want to know what matters to people, what services do they value and what is missing? 

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Goole and District Hospital. Let’s seize this opportunity to make a positive impact and build a healthier future for all. 

Get involved 

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership want to hear what you think about health and care services in Goole and the surrounding areas. 

You can join our listening event on Wednesday 28^th May at the Courtyard in Goole drop-in anytime between 11am- 3pm. There will be other events over the course of the next month, please keep up to date with us here.

Alternatively, you can email us. We’d love to hear from you. Our email address is: hnyicb.engagement@nhs.net  

Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is nearly upon us and marks the start of lent and countdown to Easter. It’s a great time to have fun with friends and family or cook up a tasty treat to enjoy on your own.

It can be really tempting to head for the chocolate spread and extra spoon of sugar, but it’s easy to enjoy pancakes as part of a balanced diet without feeling the guilt.

Top tips for healthier toppings and fillings:

• Top your pancakes with fresh chopped fruit. Raspberries are a good choice as they are also a good source of fibre and vitamins, especially Vitamin C.
• Try to use sugar, golden syrup or any other refined sugars sparingly as eating too much sugar can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay.
• Nutella and chocolate spreads contain saturated fat and sugars, so try to keep them to smaller amounts.
• Dark chocolate could be melted and used as a spread. Studies show dark chocolate is a healthier chocolate choice.
• Low fat Greek yoghurt and fruit/honey. Greek yoghurt is a good source of calcium and protein.
• Rather than sweet toppings, you could also opt for savoury toppings.

If you are looking for a way to join in on Pancake Day with a healthier alternative, we are sharing some recipe inspiration from the British Heart Foundation below.

1. Vanilla pancakes with berries and cinnamon custard

Set aside the usual lemon and sugar and spice up your crepes with our creamy cinnamon custard and juicy berries. Get the recipe for vanilla pancakes with berries and cinnamon custard

2. Oat pancakes with fruit compote

A sweet blueberry and apple compote is the perfect accompaniment to these oaty pancakes. Get the recipe for oat pancakes with fruit compote.

3. Lemon-blueberry pancakes

Lemon with pancakes is always a winner – we’ve given it a new twist with these fruity, light and fluffy pancakes. Get the recipe for lemon-blueberry pancakes.