Hospital ward closure confirmed

Health bosses have supported a recommendation to permanently close a hospital ward in East Yorkshire.

The Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board announced in April that it would shut Bridlington Care Unit (BCU) in June, which looks after people after they receive medical treatment.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it would consider feedback, but has now confirmed the unit will close and it will move to a "community-based" model of care.

Chief Executive Clare Smith said: "This decision was not taken lightly, and we recognise the strength of feeling in Bridlington, not just about the care unit but about the hospital's future more broadly."

At the end of May, the Trust said it would review plans to close the ward, following concerns raised by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with feedback from patients, staff and residents.

Smith added: "The Board has supported the recommendation because patients who no longer need acute hospital treatment should, wherever it is safe and clinically appropriate, be supported to return home as soon as possible and with the right package of care around them.

"Most patients are already discharged from our hospitals with the appropriate support in place, and we will continue to work closely with community and social care providers to ensure that those who may have been admitted to the BCU whilst waiting for these arrangements to be made can be safely discharged with the support they need."

The Trust said the decision did not affect the future of the wider hospital site.

Dr Anthony Clarke, chair of the Bridlington Health Forum, has opposed the proposals since they were announced.

"The effect of closing the unit will be to put more pressure on hospitals like Scarborough Hospital, York Hospital, and increase the congestion within the hospital, increase the occurrence of corridor care and make it harder for patients to be admitted from A&E," he said.

"Within the forum, we do agree that patients should not remain in hospital if they can be safely cared for out of hospital. But until there's clear evidence of strengthened community services, we oppose the closure."

In May, East Riding of Yorkshire Council called for the plans to be paused amid concerns patients could be left without adequate support.

Unite the Union, which has also previously criticised the proposals, said the closure would "result in the worst possible outcome for patients and staff".

The Trust said it would publish further information on "the implementation timetable, transition arrangements and ongoing engagement opportunities once these have been confirmed".

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