29/07/07

Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS

Sir

I am writing to you with great concerns for the hospital facilities that are in peril here in Bridlington.

As item 1 I enclose a copy of an article in the Bridlington Free Press dated 26th May 2005.

I believe this text says it all.

Bridlington people had three hospitals when the question of a NEW hospital came about & most donated at some source in order to get what was wanted i.e. a quality hospital for Brid & all the facilities that were required.

As a born and bred Bridlingtonian I recall three events (I was 14 at the time)

Unfortunately time has moved on and the money raised by the public has never been truly stated as to where it went. Yes we got the hospital but did we pay for it ? Did someone else foot the balance ?

The saga of our hospital goes on.

Take the current problem, MONEY, why is it that the Trust is in debt ? Is it mismanagement, incompetence or greed ?

Previous managements have been axed or left and still the books do not balance. Approx six or so years ago the Trust ( a misnomer if ever there was one) decided on patients paying to park while attending for treatment. Considering the amount of cars that STILL do park where has the cash gone from this captive revenue ?

Over such a period accounting will show the amount and further begs the question what if they ( the Trust ) had not had this revenue ?

The NHS was in good hands until the Thatcher government got its hands on it. They attempted to dismantle it and many protests form the public took place and forced the then government to take a back step. Unfortunately this led to the creation of hospital trusts and look where we are today.

Bridlington is a popular resort that continues to expand. When the weather is good there is no where better. We enjoy the best beach and seafront than anywhere in the country.

The town doubles in season & on occaision exceeds this.

Residents have seen a downturn in hospital facilities time and time again, even today the latest is that maternity facilities are to end within 18 months. Is this another masking of the facts i.e. make statements of this nature to take away attention to the job losses ?

In your field of work they call it SPIN.

To state 600 job losses have no impact on services is once again management gone mad or management incompetence.

Could Parliament run fully and effectively without one third of its M.P.s ? The clowns would really say yes - but would it ?

Bridlington needs you to act on our behalf as Health Minister to save OUR hospital and to stop these cuts.

Yours

Alex Thompson