16 July 2005

Withernsea Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit has had its opening hours cut by half with little warning. Campaigners say they are appalled. A health trust considering the future of community hospitals in the East Riding has closed one of its minor injuries units at night. The unit at Withernsea Hospital will now only be open from 9am to 9pm. The change from 24-hour opening was made last night, having been announced only hours earlier. The move comes less than 18 months after a successful campaign to keep the facility open, led by local councillors and Graham Stuart, now MP for Beverley and Holderness. Campaigners fear the move by the Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust (PCT) could be a sign of things to come. Worries have also been expressed about the future of the other three hospitals under review across the East Riding. The trust says the move is not connected to the review. Withernsea Hospital, Hornsea Cottage Hospital, Driffield's Alfred Bean Hospital and the Macmillan Wolds unit at Bridlington Hospital are being scrutinised by the trust. Mr Stuart said: "I'm concerned. I want to make sure local people can play a part in making decisions." Mayor of Withernsea Stuart Woodruff said he was surprised at the announcement. "I'm very disappointed with the trust," he said. The trust has promised there will be a further public consultation before changes to services are made based on the review. East Riding Councillor Richard Stead, who represents the South Holderness ward, which includes Withernsea, said: "This has to be the worst possible news for everyone fighting to keep these facilities and the hospitals open. I'm appalled." Trust deputy chief executive Claire Wood said the change was not linked to the review, but had happened because of concerns over a recent serious incident involving a young person. She said: "This action has been taken for health safety and staff safety. "The review will still look at the hours in minor injuries units. This is a holding pattern until we respond to the board by the end of September." But campaigners across the East Riding are worried by the latest move. Mick Pilling , of Save/Support Bridlington Hospital Campaign Group Tel 01262 671926, E-mail: [email protected]  said: "I think this is just the tip of the iceberg The Trust stated at a previous meeting I had with them that if Withernsea Community Hospital ever had to close its M.I.U. again; the last time was 17th Oct 03; they said;  full consultation would be given; this has not been adhered too, Our Campaign Group along with Councillor Lynn Healing & David McAugtrie of the Holderness Gazette had a meeting with Trust Officialsi.   Shame on the Trust who can't be trusted." Councillor Polly Worsdale, a campaigner fighting for services at Hornsea Cottage Hospital, said: "I want to work with the trust, but when it does this sort of thing without any review, it's just not on." A meeting for people concerned by the cuts has been called by Withernsea mayor Stuart Woodruff at the Shores Centre in Withernsea's Seaside Road at 7pm on Friday.