A column for the Echo by Bridlington Health Forum member Andy Levitt
Bridlington Health Forum has been working hard all year with a range of NHS providers to try to increase the quality and availability of local services.
The next Public meeting is on January 24th 2024 between 1-3pm at Bridlington North Library.
The special guest is Martin Barkley Chair of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust. Also expected to attend are ERYC Councillors and ICB representatives.

The group have had some successes including; the reintroduction of some pre-operative assessment taking place a Bridlington District Hospital. The addition of some nurse-led Urology services and some Ophthalmology appointments returning to our local hospital.

These will start to reduce the amount of patients travelling to Scarborough, Malton and York, this is better for patients and the environment.
We have also hosted 4 public meetings, including one with U3A members with over 200 people attending.
These meetings now have guest speakers who are Senior Managers/ Directors of the Local Health Trusts who can present their ideas of how they are trying to improve health provision locally, answer questions but also get a feel for the concerns of the local population.The next Public meeting is on January 24th 2024 between 1-3pm at Bridlington North Library. Photo: Echo Media Group.

Plans for developing further improvements next year include:
The choice of where you want a non urgent appointment to be. This will still depend on where clinics are run from, but could make it easier for patients to access services. Expected date April 2024.

The planned opening of an outpatient suite at Bridlington Hospital, which will offer
a range of minor surgical procedures. Expected date Summer 2024.
The staff of the GP practices trained and using Dermatascopes, so reducing patient having to travel to Malton or York for a few minutes initial consultation. Expected start April 2024.
The introduction of minor post operative care happening at Bridlington Hospital. Expected start summer 2024.Advertisement

Improved Diagnostic facilities, with the use of more mobile scanners visiting the hospital site.
There have been some changes in Senior Managers/ Directors which we hope to have a successful working relationship with.We hope they soon learn the need to continue to improve our local Health Services to support the health and wellbeing of our community.
The next Public meeting is on January 24th 2024 between 1-3pm at Bridlington North Library.
The guest speaker will be announced in January. Please come along and ask questions.
Website:
www.bridlington healthforum.co.uk.
Facebook:
Bridlington Health Forum.
