The Town of Bridlington showed solidarity at the meeting 30/01/07 from 5.00pm they slowly filled the Town Hall to its capacity; all 120 seats were full within 20 minutes standing room only made the meeting burst at the seems, it was attended by approx 300+ with many not able to get in?  Yorkshire Television covered the event with reporter Fraser Maud; the cameraman was Bridlington's own Barry Jacklin; the venue was clearly not large enough to accept everyone, leaving a vast queues outside, at least 50 to 60 were turned away, Others saw it was full and made there way back home; others crammed into lobbies and doorways so they could have there say....

Then what happened next led to a Fred Karno's Circus; the high-tech computer side show would not work; the PA system would not work, 90% could not hear what was going on, 1st up to talk was Claire Wood of the Yorkshire PCT although Claire gave a good talk; people were more interested in asking there own vital questions; next up we had Interim Chief Executive Iain McInnes; who gave the usual textbook scenario; in the chair we had Leo McGrory chairman of the Scarborough & Bridlington Forum; no one seem to know who he was, had never met him before and were asking who is he?

We than got down to the nitty-gitty of what the meeting was all about; what is the future of Bridlington Hospital?  Many questions were asked; many answers were given, most went away saying they will fight for our hospital; no-one wants to see the disappearance of Acute Medical Services or the removal of the Cardiac Monitoring Unit or removal of beds; they would like to see the Minor Injuries reopened 24/7.

People would like to see more Nurses in the hospital so nurses are not burning themselves out doing two people's work.  Fewer patients taken by ambulance to Scarborough; more facilities at the fated Bridlington hospital and up-grading.

The new car park charges which are being introduced to staff were not denied when I raised the issue with Iain McInnes; nor were the rumours about hospital car park charges been introduced in April 2007 going up from £1 to £2 per hour?  Nurses are to pay £250.00 per year full-time & £120.00 per year part-time to park there cars....disgusting!

Mr McInnes talked the usual talk but would not commit himself?  Claire Wood made promises; lets hope she keeps them. Dr Ian Holland who attended sat in the corner sucking his thumb? Marion Pearson gave some good news about new beds, good news for Bridlington!

The next meeting that is to be planned for 18th March 2007 needs a good venue, with a capacity to accept at least 400+ it needs better organisation.

Finally; The Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group would extremely like to thank all those who attended; to those who were unable to get in; lets hope lessons have been learnt by the organisers; once again thank you for your solidarity.

After 5 years of Campaigning by our group; we are no better now than before; the Trust are trying to transfer services.....it is a cost saving exercise.

Mick Pilling (Chairman)
Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group   

Any further comments please email me