Ward could be axed at East Coast hospital

Health officials have launched a consultation into the future of 12-bed Buckrose Ward at Bridlington Hospital.

Their preferred option is to create eight new beds at Newbridges and Westlands adult mental health inpatient units in Hull.

They say the move would address issues of “patient privacy and dignity” and cut travel times for patients from Haltemprice, Beverley, South Holderness and Goole.

Dr Luigina Palumbo, Clinical Chair of the NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said the “outdated accommodation” at Buckrose Ward did not provide “the best therapeutic environment” and the plans offered “all inpatient assessment and treatment in purpose-built modern accommodation.”

The two other options being consulted on include maintaining the status quo and upgrading the current facilities.

The hospital has had a controversial history of cutbacks, including the transfer of the cardiac monitoring unit, acute medical wards and maternity services to Scarborough in 2008.

As well as Buckrose, it has two rehabilitation wards, a surgical ward, day case unit and unit for the care of the elderly, as well as a minor injuries and GP access centre, a GP MacMillan Wolds Unit and a renal dialysis unit.

UKIP town councillor Malcolm Milns said: “Not enough goes on there as it is. It is becoming almost a glorified outpatients, with a dentist’s, chiropodist and GP service. There’s not enough bed use – we can’t afford to lose any more.”

But Margaret Peel, chairman of the hospital’s League of Friends, said she understood why they were looking seriously at the change and said services were being improved at the hospital. She said: “I think we have to look closely at Buckrose and see if it completely fit for purpose.”