YP Letters: Elderly and sick are stripped of dignity by cuts

From: Dorothy Hesp, Bridlington.
Care of the elderly in Bridlington is in the spotlight.Care of the elderly in Bridlington is in the spotlight.
Care of the elderly in Bridlington is in the spotlight.

WHAT sort of society have we become? To what depth of inhumanity have we sunk to in the treatment of the elderly, sick and vulnerable members of our country?

In the 1960s and 70s, there were three very good fully staffed hospitals in Bridlington where people had easy access and where they, or their family and loved ones, could be in 
close contact throughout the illnesses and trauma which afflict us all from time to time in life.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We have now a hospital 
which has been salami-sliced over the years – the people of Bridlington have nowhere to go, they have had misery, indignity and suffering inflicted upon them.

These are the very people who have paid into and supported our town and our country for decades, now at their frailest and needing our help.

At the very worst times in 
their lives, they, or their loved ones, face often life-threateningly long journeys to remote hospitals. These are often far from their families, and their also elderly or disabled lifetime companions, who are left to endure exhausting and costly four and five-hour round trips in order to see them for an hour or so a day – that is if they can manage to get there at all.

The last vestige of decency – the shuttle bus – is now under threat because of “lack of funds”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The frailest and most needy are now having to sign petitions and plead. In the last 12 months, our Government has taken around £800bn from the taxpayer. Do we have to beg for a few miserable crumbs and be grateful? This really is the last straw.

Related topics: