Save Bridlington Hospital

HEALTHCARE in Bridlington suffered further disappointment yesterday (Wednesday 16th July 2003).

The Trust covering Bridlington Ambulance Service received a zero star rating and the Trust covering Bridlington Hospital was awarded only one star. "It's time Bridlington & District Hospital had some investment to secure its future"

The performance ratings have been published by independent watchdog, the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) based on a scale of 0-3 stars. "This was expected, our Ambulance service is stretched to its limit, putting Accident & Emergency at Bridlington & District Hospital would relieve some of this".

This puts Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) among the bottom five-ambulance trusts in England, based on the star rating. "We cannot blame our outstanding Ambulance Drivers & Paramedic staff".

It also puts Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust in the lower third of all acute NHS Trust's in England. "This is due to a lack of Cash Investment at Government Level which as been requested on several occasions by The Save Bridlington Hospital Campaigners". (there requests have fallen on deaf ears)

These star ratings for 2002-2003 are based on performance reflecting Government priorities, clinical issues, patient focus, plus capacity and capability of the organisations. "In a nut-shell pressure from New Labour's reforms".

Jayne Barnes CBE, chief executive of TENYAS said: "To put this in context, the star ratings are a snapshot of an organisation, based on historical performance over the last financial year. Since then we have made significant improvements. "That is (1) Ambulance in Bridlington at night & (1) parked in a lay-by a few miles away"

"Our category (A) response times (target 75 percent of life-threatening calls in eight minutes) are currently 74.8 percent, despite an unremitting rise in our A&E workload. "Meeting Government targets can cost lives"?

In 2000-2001 we were recording only 52.8 percent for category (A) calls, so we have made a remarkable improvement of more than 40 percent. That convinces me we are on the right path. "I will agree with that".

"Furthermore there is absolutely no criticism of the clinical care our staff provides for patients. In fact a recent CHI review praised staff for their commitment and for the dignified and respectful way they treat patients." "I will agree with that".

Alison Guy, Chief Executive of the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said she was disappointed the organisation, which covers Bridlington Hospital, had been awarded only one star. "More Investment, Nurses, the opening of Priory Ward, repairing Lifts, installation of X-ray equipment etc, will help"?

"It's a shame because this suggests that we aren't doing very well," said Mrs Guy. "But we must remember that these ratings are based on performance for the year ending March 31, 2003, and it is well known that this trust has had difficulties, both with waiting times and with finances. Also lets not forget, Mrs Guy only took over her post as Chief Executive on the 1st September 02, when previous management had managed to do its worst, creating the scenario we now have.

"However, I am confident that we have turned a corner since then. Last week's board meeting heard that the great majority of our targets are now being met, and we have a financial recovery plan in place that will see us balance the books by 2005." "That's a long way away, in two years a lot can happen"??

Mick Pilling's comments in BLUE by: Mick Pilling (Chairman) Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign.

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