Charlie Dewhirst says there has been a 35% fall in local outpatient appointments at the site with local people having to travel further for treatment.
More use should be made of Bridlington Hospital. That's the message from the Town's MP.
Charlie Dewhirst recently delivered a speech in the House of Commons, expressing concern about the state of health services in Bridlington and calling for more use to be made of Bridlington Hospital. He argued that, while the hospital is a "fantastic site" that recently benefited from investments in solar panels, it is "chronically underused". Dewhirst believes the hospital has the potential to be a "health hub" for the town.
Dewhirst highlighted Bridlington's challenging demographic situation, noting it has the oldest and most deprived population in the East Riding of Yorkshire. He cited concerning statistics:
- Men in the Bridlington South Ward have a life expectancy 10 years lower than those living elsewhere in the county.
- Two of the three wards covering the town are the two most deprived wards in the county, with the third being the fifth most deprived.
- A third of the population is over 65, rising to 44% in Bridlington North, with a significant number over 80.
Dewhirst stressed that Bridlington has the highest percentage of people with limiting long-term illness or disability in the York and Scarborough NHS Trust catchment area. He quoted the Director of Public Health for the East Riding, who described the growing inequalities in health outcomes in Bridlington as a "wake-up call".
The MP expressed concern about the decline in outpatient appointments offered at Bridlington Hospital, which have decreased by 35% in four years. This decline affects numerous specialities, including ophthalmology, audiology, and rheumatology.
Dewhirst noted that two-thirds of Bridlington residents are attending outpatient appointments away from the town, necessitating extensive travel for routine care. He argued that the focus of York and Scarborough NHS Trust seems to be on York, Scarborough, and Malton, leading to concerns about the prioritisation of investments and new services.
Dewhirst called for a "comprehensive strategy" that brings together all parts of the health service, recognises the challenges, and develops an immediate action plan. He expressed concern about the role of the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and called for greater clarity regarding their responsibilities and accountability.
Minister of State for Health and Social Care, Steven Kinnock, acknowledged the problems in Bridlington, stating they are sadly familiar to colleagues across the House of Commons. He agreed with Dewhirst's assessment of the challenges and acknowledged Lord Darzi's report as a frank assessment of the situation.
Kinnock outlined the government's commitment to a 10-year plan focused on three major shifts:
- From hospital to community
- From analog to digital
- From sickness to prevention
He emphasised the need for a "meaningful conversation" with the public and health system workers to develop this plan. Kinnock noted the range of services offered at the hospital and assured Dewhirst that the government was carefully considering capital requirements as part of the spending review.
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