There are now action groups in all the towns affected by the ERYPCT (East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust)  proposals to close community hospitals in Beverley, Driffield, Withernsea and Hornsea. The BHAG is in close contact with all the other groups and is keen  to stress that it wants to see ALL  existing community hospitals kept open, not just Beverley at the expense of other areas. With this in mind the BHAG helped to start up the East Riding Hospitals Action Group with representatives from action groups in Beverley, Driffield, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, Pocklington and Market Weighton.

 The situation is looking hopeful.........

Huge numbers of petition signatures have been collected throughout the county Somewhere in the region of 15,000 signatures ..... and rising.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee have rejected the proposals unanimously.

The ERYC NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee met today for the second of two meetings to discuss the proposals to close community hospitals in Beverley, Driffield, Withernsea and Hornsea. After intensive lobbying by members of all action groups, local councillors, local MP Graham Stuart, and other MPs from neighbouring constituencies, the Councillors on the c ommittee rejected the proposals unanimously. A representative of local Private Nursing Homes told the Committee that the ERYPCT plan had not been discussed with nursing home proprietors and was unworkable.

The East Riding Rural Partnership (an influential committee representing rural areas) has unanimously rejected the proposals.

Beverley Town Council lodged a strong objection to the ERYPCT proposals, and the manner of the consultation.

Withernsea Town Council also lodged a strong objection to the ERYPCT proposals, and the manner of the consultation.

Hornsea Town Council described the consultation as "deeply flawed" and voted to reject the ERYPCT proposals.

Please do what  YOU  can to support the campaign and other Community Hospitals under threat.

Protest March Hornsea Saturday 10th March 2pm.   A short walk to the Community Hospital starting from the Marine Hotel.                    

Bring a placard !

Protest March Withernsea Saturday 17th March  2pm. A march from Valley Gardens to the hospital.

Very importantly . The ERYPCT consultation ends on Thursday March 8th. Please write to them  or email them to express your views on the closures at the address below. A "consultation" leaflet can be easily obtained from them (details below) but add your own comments to it

SAVE OUR HOSPITAL ! Westwood Hospital is under threat

The East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (ERYPCT) plans to close the Community Ward and move all East Yorkshire

NHS community ward beds to Goole and Bridlington (under the control of other PCTs), and into private sector nursing homes

Planning Applications have been submitted to demolish buildings so that two thirds of the hospital site can be SOLD .

This leaves no room for expansion, and can only lead to the eventual closure of the whole hospital.

What can you do?  Contact the ERYPCT for a feedback form. 

If you want to keep Community Hospitals open - tick no boxes and write "NO to all options" and say you "want to keep the Community Hospitals open in Beverley, Driffield, Hornsea and Withernsea"

Forms available by post, or 01377 208826 or [email protected] or www.erypct.nhs.uk

Write to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to object to the planning application - ref DC/06/07554/PLF/STRAT Send forms to: Freepost , ERYPCT, RRCA-XTRC-XCGJ, Four Winds, Market Weighton Rd, Driffield, YO25 9LH

For more information please ring Beverley Hospital Action Group 01482 888579 / 886390

or email  [email protected] or [email protected]

Finally ....... the ERYPCT will hold a board meeting at Burnby Hall, Pocklington on Wednesday March 28th from 930am to about 1230pm, to discuss the "consultation" and present a plan of what it will do next.  

This meeting is open to the public so do come if you can - it should be interesting.