Bridlington and the Wolds MP Charlie Dewhirst has formally presented a petition to the Government calling for the protection of Bridlington Care Unit, following a strong show of support from local residents across the area.
The petition, signed by 5,784 people, was handed to the Health Minister in Parliament as part of the ongoing campaign to safeguard rehabilitation services and wider healthcare provision in the town. It urges the York and Scarborough NHS Trust to revers their palms to close the ward this June.
Charlie spoke in Parliament on the issue, before handing in his petition, with 5,784 signatures.
A government minister from the Department for Health and Social Care must now respond formally in writing in due course.
Charlie has also written directly to the Health Secretary to provide further detail and request a meeting with him to discuss further, either on site or in Westminster.
He also written separately to both the Chief Executive of NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, and the Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to provide them each a copy of the petition and again urge them not to close the BCU.
Charlie Dewhirst MP said: “Thank you to everyone in East Yorkshire who signed my petition or helped to gather signatures – 5,784 local voices have made clear this proposed closure is absolutely not the right way forward.
“The lack of consultation was appalling, and we need more health services and rehabilitation closer to home, not less. Residents should not face unnecessary travel to Scarborough for care or to visit relatives, an hour and half round trip by car, or three hours by bus.
“Having met leaders from the local NHS, joined locals protesting at County Hall and gathered these signatures, I was pleased to use my position as your Member of Parliament to hand this in directly to the Government. The Minister is now required to consider it and respond formally to me in due course.
“I’ve also sent a copy of our petition to the NHS, as well as requested to meet the Health Secretary in person.
“I remain firmly opposed to this closure and will continue to fight to protect local rehabilitation capacity and expand our local health services.”
Charlie Dewhirst MP can be contacted atCharlie.dewhirst.mp@parliament.uk
The issue has sparked public meetings, demonstrations and growing calls to maintain local services.
Speaking after presenting the petition, Mr Dewhirst thanked everyone who signed or helped gather signatures, saying the community had sent a clear message about the importance of local healthcare provision.
