Mick Pilling - Chairman Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group (writes)

I firmly beleive that all party Councillors should stand firmly together as one and fight the demise of the NHS.....MP's should Lobby Parliament; as previously stated once a NHS Service as been lost; "That's it"  This is no security for dedicated hospital staff (Doctors & Nurses)

Councillors are to hold an urgent meeting over controversial hospital proposals in the East Riding.

Councillor Simon Pickering is rallying his colleagues on two influential committees to discuss the plans.

Cllr Pickering and Cllr Doreen Clark have sent letters to the chairs of the NHS and social wellbeing overview and scrutiny committees.

The councillors have said they are concerned about a proposed reduction in services and the implications for community hospitals.

The plans, which have been proposed by the East Riding Of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), would see beds moved from the region's four community hospitals to new units and private care homes.

Under the proposals, about 60 beds would be put into hospitals at Bridlington, Goole and one other location. About 50 NHS beds would also be put in private care homes across the region.

But all overnight stay beds could be removed from hospitals in Beverley, Driffield, Hornsea and Withernsea.

Cllr Pickering said: "We have asked representatives of the PCT to come to the meeting to hear our fears for the healthcare of East Riding residents.

"The concern we've got is that the PCT has mismanaged the money and is looking to make savings.

"Instead of cutting senior management, it is looking to cut frontline services."

Councillor Rowan Blake James, who chairs the NHS overview and scrutiny committee, said: "I'll be delighted to have meetings after Christmas."

The plans, which could see a new hospital in Market Weighton, are being discussed with the public and people have until March to state their views.

A trust spokeswoman said: "We encourage members of the public to inform us of their views during the consultation period and to state their preferences.

"The consultation document sets out a range of proposals, which will result in an expansion of local services and an increased investment of between £7m and £8m.

"The PCT has also invited town councils, parish councils and community groups to make contact if they would like to meet with a representative from the PCT about the consultation."

There are still three public consultation meetings scheduled. The second will be held at Market Weighton Village Hall, Station Road, Market Weighton, on Monday, January 8, from 1.30pm.

There are also meetings at Tickton Grange, Main Street, Tickton, on Saturday, January 27, from 10am and at Bridlington's North Library in Martongate, Bridlington, on Wednesday, February 7, from 6.30pm.

Members of the public can read the consultation documents and comment at the PCT's website or write to Freepost RRCA-XTRC-XCGJ, East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust, Four Winds, Market Weighton Road, Driffield, YO25 9LH.

The consultation will end at 5pm on Thursday, March 8. [email protected]  Contact John with your stories

Links

East Riding Of Yorkshire PCT

www.erypct.nhs.uk