Hospital howlers

THE demographics of the Yorkshire coastline mean that Scarborough and Bridlington Hospitals will, inevitably, have a greater preponderance of elderly patients than others. They are also individuals who, because of their age, want to be treated at a hospital close to home.

Yet it is abundantly clear that these frail and vulnerable patients are being failed by the NHS Trust that is in charge of healthcare.

Of course, the Trust will argue that it has undergone a number of management upheavals and that healthcare in this part of Yorkshire has been under-funded for some time.

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However, the counter-argument – which is far more pertinent – is that hospitals at comparable resorts around the country do not have such a poor reputation, whether it be the financial management of services, the quality of care and the ability of staff to follow issues like correct procedures over record-keeping or the physical handling of immobile patients.

Yet, while the Care Quality Commission's assurance that patients have not been harmed is comforting, it is clear that the care provided falls short of acceptable standards, and that a shortage of nurses and junior doctors is one of the primary factors behind this.

The onus is now on Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust to set out an appropriate response. Not only does it need to reassure local residents, but it also needs to explain how it will remedy its shortcomings – and how these changes will be financed.

A short-term response to appease the CQC before yet another management shake-up will not suffice. A long-term plan of action is the only acceptable remedy.

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