Save Bridlington Hospital

Patients are being urged to join a legal challenge to save facilities at an East Riding hospital.

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart is seeking a High Court injunction to prevent the closure of the inpatient ward at Hornsea Cottage Hospital.

The 12 beds in the ward are used for people recovering from surgery, suffering from terminal illnesses or in need of long-term medical care.

But Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust (PCT) has announced it will close the ward on October 1. It said the decision was made to protect patients at a time when staffing levels were low.

It is due to be reviewed in March2007.

Mr Stuart said: "What we need in order to get funding for our challenge is a resident who uses the services and is eligible for legal aid.

"Ideally, we want a proven user of Hornsea Cottage Hospital.

"I would also like to hear from anyone who fears a decision will affect them personally, so I can make the best possible case on behalf of everyone who uses that service."

Mr Stuart said he was making the legal challenge on the basis the public were not consulted about the move.

Mr Stuart said: "The trust is behaving illegally and illogically."

Pensioner Edward Clark, of Ashcourt Drive, Hornsea, was treated in the inpatient ward for high blood pressure and heart problems.

He said: "It took me by surprise when I heard they were going to close the ward. I've had wonderful treatment there. When I was in there last time my neighbour would visit and bring me my mail in the mornings and tell me the news so I was in touch.

"We need to get geared up again now and do something about it. I'm highly disappointed with the PCT."

East Riding Council's NHS overview and scrutiny committee will be discussing the decision at its meeting at County Hall, Beverley, tomorrow.

Anyone who would have been admitted to the inpatient ward at Hornsea will instead have to be treated at home or at another hospital. The trust has announced it will open three more beds at Withernsea Hospital and the Macmillan Wolds Unit at Bridlington.

The Mail launched its Hands Off Our Hospitals campaign when the PCT launched a review of its four community hospitals - in Hornsea, Withernsea, Bridlington and Driffield - in December 2004.

Any patient who wants to support Mr Stuart's legal challenge should call his office on (01482) 679687.

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