Bridlington Councillors call for better communication about hospital
Cross-party councillors in Bridlington are calling for better communication about the town's hospital services.
Last updated 7th Jun 2021
Cross-party councillors in Bridlington are calling for better communication about the town's hospital services.
Mike Heslop-Mullens, Andy Walker, Tim Norman and Liam Dealtry along with Bridlington Health Forum say a consultation that is being held by the NHS is misleading.
York and Scarborough Hospital Trust and East Riding Clinical Commissioning Group are currently looking for views about what makes a 'Healthy Bridlington'.
The group say hidden proposals in the current survey will "destroy hospital services in Bridlington. They also say that at a recent meeting with Bridlington staff, Simon Morritt Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Hospital Trust said: “What we are NOT doing is having a consultation. So, we are NOT consulting with the local population or partner organisations on options”. (Staff Briefing Session Wednesday, May 19, 2021)
Here is the joint statement from the cross-party Councillors and Bridlington Health Forum:
"Whilst we welcome open and transparent consultation with all our residents, this sham “consultation” is far from it. It is a Marketing Tool to mislead people into accepting the loss of their hospital services.
"Hidden amongst a few good ideas in the glossy document are proposals which will affect the quality of life of every resident which they are being asked to approve without full knowledge and involvement.
"We, like all residents, understand that some health procedures have to be undertaken centrally but not everything. We’ve had promises made and broken, already lost so many of our local services along with loyal staff being moved to Scarborough. All at the cost of removing vital hospital health services from Bridlington.
"So, what is in line for Bridlington Hospital? They want to use wards emptied by the Trust for GP surgeries and other services so that there will be no space left to reinstate secondary care like local consultant-led clinics.
"We know that well-hidden details behind this plan will ruthlessly and irreversibly degrade our hospital. It is an administration cost saving exercise instead of meeting the needs of residents with essential local services.
"We ask residents to complete the survey but to use the boxes in Sections 1 and 2 to reject the plan and call for open, honest and meaningful consultation with the full population.
Our hospital has never been under greater threat and is being dismantled, brick-by-brick, service-cut by service-cut, surgical-case-by-surgical-case. If we do not fight now, it will be gone. Reject the plan."
"The “consultation” which is available in paper form by phoning 01482 672156 or at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HealthyBridlington2021/"
Jean Wormwell, Chair of Bridlington Health Forum said:
“I welcome the involvement of this cross -party group of Councillors”. This consultation claims that positive discussions have been held with Councillors and Bridlington Health Forum. Our recollection is that we have challenged their plans and begged them to properly involve our residents. Our concerns and suggestions have been heard but not listened to, and these hidden cuts and sell-offs are being railroaded through. Please don’t be fooled, York Trust is abandoning Bridlington."
In a joint statement on behalf of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, they said:
"The NHS is working in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire council, other NHS organisations and the voluntary and community sector on ambitious plans to invest in and strengthen a preventative, healthy approach. By working together as a system and with the people of the town, this is our opportunity to create a Healthy Bridlington and maximise the opportunities for everyone young and old.
"There are no hidden plans. This conversation is just the start of the journey and we are already receiving feedback from staff, residents and other stakeholders about the opportunities for services within the Hospital as well as wider opportunities to help reduce health inequalities.
"People can read more about the proposed plans by visiting healthybridlington.co.uk. There is also a 5-minute survey available for everyone to give their views by visiting www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HealthyBridlington2021. For those who would prefer a hard copy of the plans and survey, they can contact East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group by telephone on 01482 652156 and leave a message or email ERYCCG.ContactUs@nhs.net