Disgust over closure of hospital beds in East Coast town

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has not yet delivered his verdict on a controversial shake-up of health care in the East Riding

The East Riding CCG decided earlier this year to make changes, including axeing 12 beds at Withernsea Hospital, despite petitions signed by 25,000 people.

A final decision was on hold pending a response from Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, after a referral by East Riding councillors.

However members of the local health forum were shocked to learn that the City Heath Care Partnership (CHCP) is “temporarily” closing from today, with the move blamed on staff shortages and safety concerns.

File pic: 12 beds are closing at Withernsea Hospital

Remaining patients will stay on until they are fit to be discharged. New admissions will go to Beverley or a care home bed in Holderness.

Forum chairman Marion Mead said: “We desperately need those beds for palliative care. A lot of my family and friends have died in there and that’s where they choose to go - they don’t want to stay at home and they don’t want to go to Hull Royal Infirmary.

“My sister has had a massive stroke and was at Hull Royal Infirmary, Beverley and Withernsea. She worked at the hospital as a nurse in the physiotherapy department for 31 years.

“It is the most beautiful, wonderful hospital and everybody adores it. For an unelected body of people to come and destroy it I am absolutely disgusted and upset.

“We are all miles away from any help at all - I just don’t believe anyone would do this.”

Mayor of Withernsea Terry Dagnell added: “People have been fighting this for over a year. I am astounded.”

Holderness Health Alliance, made up of four local GP practices, were not told until 1pm today. They raised concerns about the “continuing loss of services in an area of high deprivation and poor health.”

A statement added: “As stated in response to the urgent care consultation we have concerns that cost savings made in Holderness will result in better provision in more affluent parts of the East Riding. Sadly this news serves to strengthen that view.”

CHCP chief executive Andrew Burnell said staff shortages had become so severe they had been left on occasion on the brink of having to move patients to another hospital.

Chief officer of the East Riding CCG Jane Hawkard backed the move. She said they had hoped to hear from the Health Secretary but “lengthening timescales are now affecting service provision and patient safety.”