Health bosses have made a late decision to pause the planned closure of the Bridlington Care Unit following an extensive campaign by local residents and politicians.
An eleventh-hour decision has halted the closure of the Bridlington Care Unit, which was scheduled to shut its doors on Monday, the 1st of June.
Late on Friday, the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced a pause on the controversial plans following immense pressure from local residents, councillors, and Bridlington's Member of Parliament, Charlie Dewhirst.
The 28-bed ward at Bridlington Hospital, established in 2021 to ease pandemic-related pressures at Scarborough Hospital, has served as a vital bridge between hospital and home for patients from Bridlington, Driffield, Hornsea, and Whitby.
Health chiefs had previously maintained that a pause would not be in the best interests of patients or staff, citing a strategic shift towards community-based care and the withdrawal of pandemic-era funding. However, an intense community campaign has forced a change of course.
A spokesperson for York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
"We recognise the strength of feeling locally about the proposed closure of Bridlington Care Unit and are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views.
Having considered the recommendations made by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, along with feedback from patients, staff, local residents and stakeholders, the Trust has agreed to review the planned closure while further work is undertaken.
Over the coming months, we will work with Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and our partners to provide further assurance about community services, strengthen engagement, and clearly set out our longer-term vision for healthcare services in Bridlington. We are committed to ensuring that local people have the opportunity to understand the proposals, share their views and help shape future plans.
Our priority remains providing safe, sustainable and high-quality care for local people."
The news has been welcomed by local representatives who had previously expressed deep concern over the speed of the decision-making process and the lack of a traditional consultation period.
Bridlington Councillor Andy Walker said:
"Good news from York Trust.
The Brid care unit is not going to be closing as planned on Monday.
So they're going to engage and consult and work out the best way forward. This is really, really good news.
Everything that we asked for at health scrutiny is here in a formal letter from York Trust. Excellent."
The campaign to save the unit gathered significant momentum after a petition was launched, reflecting the deep-seated anxieties of the local population regarding healthcare provision on the Yorkshire Coast.
Bridlington MP Charlie Dewhirst said:
"The most fantastic news, the local NHS Trust has postponed the closure of Bridlington Care Unit which was due to happen on Monday on the 1st of June.
This is a result of the campaign we have managed to mount locally and thank you so much to all of your support for all of the 6,000 people that signed the petition to the Bridlington Health Forum and to everybody else, the East Riding Council and others, who have put the pressure on the NHS Trust to make the right choice."
In addition to the hospital update, there has also been progress regarding dental services for the town.
Mr Dewhirst added:
"We obviously had the fantastic news a couple of weeks ago about the two new dental practices which will be opening.
One of those has moved a step further with news that the Planning Committee of East Riding has now deferred for approval a decision to convert the crown buildings in the centre of Brid into one of those practices, That's fantastic news, we hope that last bit of the process will run smoothly, and these new practices will be open very, very soon.
I should just remind people that at this point you can't sign up to any of these new services as yet, but I will update you when you can. It's really good news for our town and I look forward to seeing these new dental services opening as soon as possible."
Related Stories
-
19 May 2026 - Health chiefs have confirmed that the closure of the Bridlington Care Unit next month will not lead to job losses, with all affected staff ...
-
16 May 2026 - Health chiefs at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are preparing to shutter the Bridlington Care Unit, next month ...
13 May 2026 - Councillors have warned that the local social care system may not be equipped to handle additional pressures when the Bridlington Care Unit ...
12 May 2026 - A growing chorus of local representatives is calling for an immediate pause to the planned closure of the Bridlington Care Unit, as health ...-
10 May 2026 - York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is currently evaluating a plan to shut down the Bridlington Care Unit.
23 Apr 2026 - Bridlington MP Charlie Dewhirst has expressed his deep disappointment over plans to close the Bridlington Care Unit in June 2026 and is ...-
20 Apr 2026 - Health bosses have published a detailed briefing outlining the rationale behind the proposed closure of the Bridlington Care Unit. The ...
-
12 Apr 2026 - Health chiefs have announced plans to close the Bridlington Care Unit at Bridlington Hospital, sparking fierce criticism from a trade union, ...
12 Apr 2026 - Plans To Close Bridlington Care Unit Spark Health Forum Concerns ... The Bridlington Health Forum has expressed deep disappointment and concern ...
Significant Funding Agreed For Whitby Maritime Hub
Plans Unveiled to Manage Urban Gulls Along the Yorkshire Coast
Free Holiday Meals And Activities Programme Extended For Three Years In North Yorkshire
Updated Plan for Repair of Scarborough Museum Grade II Listed Steps
Conversion Of Large Whitby Holiday Let Into Residential House Approved
Over 400 Solar Panels Installed at Whitby Leisure Centre to Cut Energy Bills
The Scarborough Streets Festival Concludes With A Community Parade
Debate Sparks Over Payment For Performers At Scarborough's Peasholm Park
Whitby Rugby Club Celebrate 75 Years With Yorkshire Return
Yorkshire Coast Cricket Round-up
Plan for Snainton Houses Blocked to Avoid ‘Undesirable Precedent’
Scarborough Veterans To Receive Support Through £50,000 Freemasons Grant
