Bridlington MP Charlie Dewhirst has expressed his deep disappointment over plans to close the Bridlington Care Unit in June 2026 and is taking a petition to Parliament.
Bridlington's Member of Parliament, Charlie Dewhirst, has met with local health leaders to express his profound disappointment regarding the proposed closure of the Bridlington Care Unit.
The MP recently held discussions with the Integrated Care Board before meeting directly with Clare Smith, the Chief Executive of the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
During the meeting, it was revealed that the Trust is facing significant financial pressures, which have led to the announcement of plans to close the unit from June 2026.
The Bridlington Care Unit, initially established as a Covid-era facility, has been providing vital short-stay rehabilitation for elderly patients. It serves those who are medically ready to be discharged from the hospital but still require additional support before they can safely return home or move to a care home setting.
According to the Trust, the new approach will focus on supporting these patients to leave the hospital more quickly by providing enhanced community or care home packages.
In response to the plans, Mr Dewhirst has sought firm assurances that stroke and rehabilitation services currently operating at the Bridlington site will continue without any disruption.
He noted that Bridlington has a rapidly growing population, particularly within the over-sixty-five demographic, and insisted that any alterations to local health provision must be driven by data and take the town's specific needs into full account.
During his discussions with the Trust's Chief Executive, the MP strongly urged health bosses to maximise the potential of Bridlington Hospital. The hospital recently achieved accreditation as an elective surgical hub, having been assessed in 2025, with planned operations expected to scale up from 2026.
This national NHS initiative is designed to deliver high-volume, low-complexity planned operations at a local level. It aims to reduce waiting lists and alleviate the pressure on the main acute hospitals situated in York and Scarborough.
Working alongside the Bridlington Health Forum, Mr Dewhirst has also been a long-standing advocate for a comprehensive Bridlington Health Improvement Plan, which seeks to address what he described as stark health inequalities within the coastal town.
Mr Dewhirst said:
"I welcome the Trust’s work on a clinical strategy and roadmap setting out future services and I will continue to press for meaningful progress that keeps more care closer to home.
I remain firmly opposed to the closure of the Bridlington Care Unit and will continue fighting to protect local rehabilitation capacity.
I will be presenting my petition to Parliament to demonstrate the strength of feeling across the town."
The MP is encouraging local residents to support his campaign by signing and sharing the online petition to help protect vital health services in Bridlington.
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