A meeting took place of the Joint Scrutiny of Health Committee at the Bridlington Town Hall 22/02/07 at 6.30pm

The Committee consisted of; Madam Speaker; Councillor Rowan Blake-James; the other Councillors were; Councillors: Bernard Darley, Doreen Engall, David Grange, Dinha Hoskins, Barbara Jefferson, Polly Worsdale, Val Arnold, David Billing, John Blackie, David Heather, Margaret Hulme, Jim Preston & John Raper.

Other personal in attendance were: Helena Coates East Riding Council Organiser; Me Kate Ollett, Patient & Public Involvement Forum; the Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group chairman Mick Pilling; Members of the ERPCT & Scarborough NHS Trusts Dr Ian Holland; Other person attending had travelled many miles to listen to this Committee.

The Patient & Public Involvement Forum Ms Kate Ollett & the Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group chairman Mick Pilling put over a very good case between them outlining many flaws and faults in the Consultation Document; discussed were the Minor Injuries Unit over-night closure 9pm to 9am next day; the Maternity Unit & the Acute Medical Unit along with Cardiac Monitoring Unit, wards Kent & Thornton all of which could be removed if the Scarborough NHS Trust & North Yorkshire Primary Healthcare Trust get their way.

The Scrutiny Committee have taken on board all points raised and will be looking into these forthwith.  many questions were asked; many points raised and details will be heard at the next meeting on 7th March 2007 at 5.30pm.

Some points raised; Ambulance Situation in Bridlington; the fact that the (MIU) closed because of a staff shortage and has now been included into the Consultation Document? Also the 22,500 Petition that was fighting to have the (MIU) re-opened 24/7? The petition raised by expectant mothers 107 named petition was given to the Scarborough NHS Trusts; Dr Ian Holland?  The possible closure of Acute Medical Unit and Cardiac Monitoring Unit along with Kent & Thornton Wards has been damned.  The complete shortage of nurses in Bridlington Hospital, the overtime ban and the recruitment ban have been met with the possibility of the hospital being run down?

Representing personal from the above firmly believe the Consultation Document is nothing more than a cost saving excercise; the North Yorkshire PCT are reported to be £45m in debt whilst the Scarborough NHS Trust are reported to be £7.2m in debt, with this in mind cost saving must be at the top of there agenda....also in the firing line are Malton & Whitby Hospitals they also fall under the above Trusts.

People are also reminded there are 2 Consultation Documents in circulation and both need to be filled in....this is a must to protect all services for the future.

Sincere and kindest regards

Mick Pilling