Dear Mr PIlling

Thank you for your letter dated 30 July to Alan Johnson about the future of services provided by Scarborough and North east Yorkshire NHS Trust. The large number of letters sent to Mr Johnson means that it is not always possible for him to reply personally. I have been asked to reply.

NHS organisations such as Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust that have accumulated a financial deficit must take action to achieve financial balance. The Trust has a duty to spend public money wisely and is directly accountable for the financial decisions it makes. The proposed changes to the provision of NHS services by the Trust were not only announced to address the financial deficit, but also to reflect changes in the way that health services are being provided to the public.

The aim is to modernise and reform the current system in order to make a more effective service that is fit for purpose with less services in district general hospitals, more work done in specialist centres and more in communities closer to peoples homes.

The staffing proposals are a major part of these reforms. However, changes will be implemented in a gradual and controlled manner. It is hoped that the majority of the posts which are to be displaced will be lost through natural staff turnover, vacancy management and careful control of overtime claims and agency staff. Voluntary redundancies will only be considered after these options have been fully exhausted and compulsory redundancies are an absolute last resort.

I can assure you that both staff welfare and patient safety are top priority and these proposed changes are absolutely necessary in order to provide better, more focussed and more cost effective services to the local community. The NHS Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority will continue to monitor developments and will be reviewing the emerging proposals as the changes progress.

Turning to your specific concerns regarding Bridlington Hospital, you will be aware that there have been two consultations which have affected services at the Hospital in recent times. The Trust has consulted on 'A Future Role For Bridlington Hospital' which focussed on the future use of the hospital including medical services and maternity services. The Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust has consulted on the 'Provision of Mental Health and Learning Disability service in east Yorkshire'.

At its Board meeting on 25 July, the Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust agreed to proceed with changes to modernise provision of mental health and learning disability services in the East Riding. These changes will include the provision on one inpatient unit rather than three current units and an ebhanced home treatment service. This is inline with local and national best practice and policy on moving care closer to home. Waters Ward in Bridlington has closed with provision of older people's beds at Mill View Lodge in Cottingham in the immediate period and potential for a purpose built unit in Beverley in the long term. Bartholemew House, Goole and Buckrose ward, Bridlington are likely to remain open until funding for crisis resolution is confirmed and the service is developed.

You raise concerns about the future of cardiac services at Bridlington. As part of the review at Bridlington, the hospital was visited on 16 May by Professor Sir George Alberti on behalf of the National Clinical Advisory Team. Professor Alberti's report stated that changes in acute medical services at Bridlington are vital on the grounds of safety and quality. Professor Alberti did not feel that the removal of all acute services from Bridlington was necessary or advisable, however there were questions about the safety of providing acute medical and coronary care on the site. he strongly recommended a range of actions that would see a range of different services being provided in Bridlington meeting the needs of a significant number of the local population.

In addition, the Trust received a view from the Yorkshire Deanery. It is clear that the Deanery feel that clinical experience and the range of services provided at Bridlington needs to change to retain training accreditation.

In light of this advice and the public consultation findings, the Board a range of service developments and changes at Bridlington. Further plans will be submitted following further discussion wit Sir George Alberti and Roger Boyle, National Clinical Tsar for Heart Disease and Stroke, on the range of cardiology services to be offered accross the Trust on both Bridlington and scarborough sites.

Finally, you raise concerns about the changes in opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Bridlington. The MIU was also part of the Bridlington consultation. The Trust's intention to establish a 24-hour MIU on collaboration with The East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), providing an integrated service. The Trust is in discussion with the PCT but until the NHS is able to move to implementation, the MIU will remain open from 9am to 9pm.

In conclusion, I should point out that the reconfiguration of services is a matter for the local NHS. I understand that the Trust has given an assurance that any changes at Bridlington Hospital will not lead to its eventual closure.

Once implemented, these proposals will ensure increased provision of day services and key diagnostic services (for example renal dialysis) and intensive general rehabilitation support for stroke patients. this will result in greater access to appropriate specialists when needed and also greater convenience, with a wider range of services provided closer to home and community settings.

I hope that this reply addresses your concerns.

Sincerely


Philip Brown
Customer Service Centre
Department of Health