Bridlington MP presents care unit closure petition to Parliament
Bridlington and the Wolds MP, Charlie Dewhirst has handed a petition, calling for a proposal to close the town’s care unit to be stopped, to the Government.
The petition, which was signed by 5,784 people, was presented to the Government as Mr Dewhirst addressed the House of Commons.
During his speech, Mr Dewhirst said: “Madam Deputy Speaker. The proposed and rushed closure of the care unit at Bridlington Hospital in my constituency is deeply concerning and must not go ahead.
“It provides vital short-term stay rehabilitation close to home, especially for the elderly residents, avoiding unnecessary travel to Scarborough or York Hospital for relatives or friends to visit them.
“5,784 local residents have signed my petition online and in person against this closure.
“It is the petitioner’s request that the House of Commons urge the Government to urgently instruct the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust not to close the Bridlington Care Unit and further urge the Government to work with the various health providers and the Bridlington Health Forum to, in fact, actively expand the range of services available at Bridlington.”
Ahead of the address, Mr Dewhirst thanked everyone who signed the petition and the people who helped collect the names.
During the Extraordinary Health, Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on Monday, May 11, East Riding of Yorkshire councillors asked York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to pause the closure conduct a ‘proper consultation’.
Claire Hansen, chief operating officer at the trust, told the meeting: “This is a managed service change in line with the aim of providing care closer to home (in line with the HNS 10-year plan). The scope of the change is limited to the beds that are in BCU with Kent, Lloyd and Waters wards not impacted.
“Planned surgery, outpatients, rehabilitation and other services also continue unaffected.
“BCU currently serves patients from a range localities, but it can be challenging to find patients that meet the admission criteria due to it being GP-led.
“Diverting investment to the community means East Riding patients can be discharged home directly without an unnecessary step in their recovery journey.
“Funding is being diverted to support services so patients can be supported when they return home from hospital.”