Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has expressed optimism that a "local solution" is imminent for the prolonged closure of Eastfield Medical Centre, following a visit to the facility on Thursday to meet with managers and staff.
The medical centre has been shut since June due to significant flooding. The closure has caused widespread concern among local representatives and residents, particularly affecting vulnerable and elderly patients in the surrounding areas of Eastfield and Cayton.
The MP confirmed she had met with the practice manager and the regional manager during her visit, as well as engaging with the landlord. Ms Hume stated she saw the flood damage first-hand, describing it as "considerable".
Speaking after the discussions, Ms Hume offered hope that services would soon be restored locally:
"Following my discussions, I'm really hopeful that we have a solution coming in the next few days, a local solution where patients can be seen by the nurse and the doctor.
I've also spoken to the landlord. I can't say any more at the moment, but I'm really hopeful that we got a short-term solution and I'll also be looking at a longer term solution,"
Ms Hume, who described herself as "the honest broker trying to bring the various parties together to get a solution", acknowledged the severity of the situation and the hard work of the existing staff. She gave a full account of the difficulties facing the community:
"The Eastfield Medical Centre has been closed since June due to flooding and this has become an unacceptable situation.
As as the MP, I'm the honest broker trying to bring the various parties together to get a solution. I came down to the centre to see the flood damage for myself, which is considerable.
I met the practice manager and also the regional manager and they are working incredibly hard on behalf of residents as are all of the staff at Eastfield Medical Centre doing a really good job in difficult circumstances, Seeing patients in various locations,"
It's understood that the proposed solution isn’t a complete fix but would bring some services closer to Eastfield until the Medical Centre re-opens.
The medical centre initially closed following a flood in June which damaged electrical equipment. Subsequently, the centre announced they would be operating temporarily from Lawrence House (part of the Haxby Group).
The prolonged closure has led to significant worries regarding access to essential healthcare. Councillor Roberta Swiers, who represents the Cayton division, previously highlighted the impact on residents of Eastfield and Cayton, noting that the area is "the most deprived area in the area, and yet we've no doctors". Patients have been forced to travel into Scarborough or rely on telephone appointments.
Ms Hume has previously stated that the ongoing closure is unacceptable, noting that many constituents contacted her to say they were "unable to travel to the list of alternative surgeries being offered". The MP's attempts to obtain a confirmed reopening date were previously met with silence, prompting her to escalate her concerns to the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and the Minister for Primary Care.
The MP’s latest update suggests that both short-term relief and a longer-term strategy are being pursued.
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