Care unit closure postponed after thousands sign petition
The closure of a Bridlington care unit looking after mainly elderly patients has been postponed after thousands of people raised their concerns.
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is grappling with a deficit of £28.5m this financial year, were due to shut the unit at Bridlington Hospital yesterday (Jun 1).
It has now said it will do further work to “to provide further assurance about community services, strengthen engagement, and clearly set out our longer-term vision for healthcare services in Bridlington”.
It came after nearly 6,000 people signed a petition by the town’s MP Charlie Dewhirst.
Members of East Riding Council’s health and wellbeing scrutiny committee were concerned community care services weren’t equipped to replace the BCU, which provides short-stay rehabilitation for patients who have finished medical treatment.
The Care Quality Commission rated its adult social care service “inadequate” following an inspection last year.
Mr Dewhirst thanked “the almost 6,000 people who signed the petition I presented to Parliament, the Bridlington Health Forum, and everybody else at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and others who have put the pressure on the NHS trust to make the right choice”.
The trust said residents would be given the opportunity to “understand the proposals, share their views and help shape future plans”.