Save Bridlington Hospital

THE number of beds for older people with mental health problems in the East Riding could be cut by a third in the next five years. Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust wants to reduce beds and provide more support for older people in their own homes.

Campaign groups are raising concerns about the long distances some patients and relatives will have to travel and whether a replacement service will prove better.

A consultation exercise has been launched on proposals which could lead to the closure of the 10-bed Rivers u s.
The proposals could also see the closure of the 10-bed Waters unit at Bridlington Hospital, but over a longer time-scale of up to five years.

However eight more beds would be added to the existing 10-bed unit at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.
The trust is not in deficit and service delivery director Angie Mason said the proposals had not come about for financial reasons.

The occupancy rate at the Rivers unit at Goole was usually two or less, and it was rare to have over five patients.
"It is not efficient to keep beds open when we are not using them. To keep a unit open for two to three people is incredibly expensive."

The trust says national evidence shows that older people can be cared better for at home than in hospital with the right support. They say patients would be visited several times a day at home if needed.
And they say past experience shows it can work, citing the closure of the Avondale inpatient unit, in Hull, in 2002 and its replacement by an intensive home care team.

Mrs Mason said the majority of staff in Goole were in favour but those who wanted to carry on working on an inpatient ward could move elsewhere. She did not envisage job cuts.

She added: "We are determined to make a decision that is right for local people and we want their views on what we're proposing. We'd like to hear from anyone with opinions of how local mental health services for older people should be provided."

But Bridlington Hospital campaigner Mick Pilling (Save/Support Bridlington Hospital Campaign Group) was concerned about patients and their relatives having to travel long distances for treatment.

He said: "We don't believe any service that is cut ever gets restored to its full capacity. Home care support sounds good but it is just not viable ." Mick Pilling writes: We must be vigilant in Bridlington and must keep a close watch on Waters Ward at Bridlington Hospital for any such cuts to services, any such cuts would be devastating.

Sylvia Scott, director of Age Concern, said: "Obviously the majority of people prefer to be seen as close as possible to home. If you live in Bridlington and the only inpatient unit is Castle Hill it is not going to be easy for people from Goole or Bridlington to get there or relatives to get there.

"There needs to be something in place prior to beds being withdrawn."

Six public events to explain the proposals are being held over the summer. The trust will also be consulting staff and other bodies including G.P.s, Social Services and the Alzheimer's Society.

Events will be held on June 16, at 4.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; June 26, at 3.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; July 31, at 3.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; August 3, at 2.30pm, Driffield Sports Centre; August 10, at 2pm, Beverley Leisure Centre; August 11, at 3.30pm, Bridlington Library.

E-mail comments can be sent to [email protected]

Health Trust Prepares to Cut Bed Numbers
THE number of beds for older people with mental health problems in the East Riding could be cut by a third in the next five years. Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust wants to reduce beds and provide more support for older people in their own homes. Campaign groups are raising concerns about the long distances some patients and relatives will have to travel and whether a replacement service will prove better. A consultation exercise has been launched on proposals which could lead to the closure of the 10-bed Rivers u s. The proposals could also see the closure of the 10-bed Waters unit at Bridlington Hospital, but over a longer time-scale of up to five years. However eight more beds would be added to the existing 10-bed unit at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham. The trust is not in deficit and service delivery director Angie Mason said the proposals had not come about for financial reasons. The occupancy rate at the Rivers unit at Goole was usually two or less, and it was rare to have over five patients. "It is not efficient to keep beds open when we are not using them. To keep a unit open for two to three people is incredibly expensive." The trust says national evidence shows that older people can be cared better for at home than in hospital with the right support. They say patients would be visited several times a day at home if needed. And they say past experience shows it can work, citing the closure of the Avondale inpatient unit, in Hull, in 2002 and its replacement by an intensive home care team. Mrs Mason said the majority of staff in Goole were in favour but those who wanted to carry on working on an inpatient ward could move elsewhere. She did not envisage job cuts. She added: "We are determined to make a decision that is right for local people and we want their views on what we're proposing. We'd like to hear from anyone with opinions of how local mental health services for older people should be provided." But Bridlington Hospital campaigner Mick Pilling (Save/Support Bridlington Hospital Campaign Group) was concerned about patients and their relatives having to travel long distances for treatment. He said: "We don't believe any service that is cut ever gets restored to its full capacity. Home care support sounds good but it is just not viable ." Mick Pilling writes: We must be vigilant in Bridlington and must keep a close watch on Waters Ward at Bridlington Hospital for any such cuts to services, any such cuts would be devastating. Sylvia Scott, director of Age Concern, said: "Obviously the majority of people prefer to be seen as close as possible to home. If you live in Bridlington and the only inpatient unit is Castle Hill it is not going to be easy for people from Goole or Bridlington to get there or relatives to get there. "There needs to be something in place prior to beds being withdrawn." Six public events to explain the proposals are being held over the summer. The trust will also be consulting staff and other bodies including G.P.s, Social Services and the Alzheimer's Society. Events will be held on June 16, at 4.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; June 26, at 3.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; July 31, at 3.30pm, The Courtyard, Goole; August 3, at 2.30pm, Driffield Sports Centre; August 10, at 2pm, Beverley Leisure Centre; August 11, at 3.30pm, Bridlington Library. E-mail comments can be sent to [email protected]

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