Plans To Close Bridlington Care Unit Spark Strong Opposition

Proposals to close a social care facility at Bridlington Hospital have drawn heavy criticism from unions, health campaigners, and local councillors who say they were not consulted on the plans.

Health chiefs have announced plans to close the Bridlington Care Unit at Bridlington Hospital, sparking fierce criticism from a trade union, health campaigners, and local politicians.

The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board issued a joint statement confirming the proposed closure, which is scheduled for June 2026.

According to the health authorities, the unit was originally opened in 2021 during the Covid pandemic as a temporary measure to create capacity for patients leaving Scarborough Hospital who were clinically ready for discharge but lacked a care package.

A spokesperson for the NHS trust and the integrated care board said:

"We want to ensure that all patients benefit from the shortest possible stay on a ward, getting home as soon as they are fit to leave hospital with the support they need. From June 2026, patients who would have been stepped down into the ward for a short stay will be supported to go to their intended care location (home or care home) sooner rather than having an extended stay in hospital. Shorter lengths of stay reduce the risk of infection or loss of mobility, for older people in particular."

The trust added that similar temporary arrangements at York Hospital were stood down in 2024. They confirmed that discussions have begun with the fifty colleagues currently working on the unit, who will all be offered alternative units and departments within the trust for them to move to.

However, the trade union Unite has strongly condemned the proposals, warning that closing the elderly care unit would result in patients being transferred to Scarborough, while nurses and healthcare assistants face redundancy or relocation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

"These disastrous plans would result in the worst possible outcome for patients and staff. The short-term savings would not outweigh the long terms costs and are further evidence of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals treating Bridlington’s health services as a poor relation. Unite stands firm in demanding the trust rows back."

The union claims the closure would create huge costs due to patients needing taxi transfers between Bridlington and Scarborough, while adding pressure to Scarborough Hospital, which they assert is already facing crippling bed shortages.

Unite regional officer Chris Daly said:

"These plans are deeply unpopular with workers, patients and the people of Bridlington and are totally unacceptable. Unite will be providing maximum support to our members in fighting to save these vital health services."

Local leaders have also expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding the decision.

The chair of the Bridlington Health Forum, Anthony Clarke, stated that his organisation was not informed in advance and was not party to the decision to close the ward, previously known as the Johnson Ward.

Anthony Clarke said:

"A Palliative Care Bed Pilot was promised by the Integrated Care Board over 2 years ago and has still not been started. We are campaigning for many more out-patient appointments, more surgery, more rehabilitation, increased diagnostics and an in-patient procedure unit at the hospital. We want the Trust to publish a plan for Bridlington Hospital, for public consultation."

Councillor Jayne Pheonix, chair of East Riding Council's Health and Care Committee, echoed these concerns regarding the lack of consultation.

Jayne Pheonix said:

"Local councillors were not informed, nor myself as Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny committee. The NHS has legal obligation under the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended by the Health and Social Care Act section 242 the duty to involve."

Despite the backlash, the NHS trust insists that Bridlington Hospital remains an excellent facility and highlighted its recent accreditation as an elective surgical hub.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

"Next month Bridlington Hospital is joining the national Hub Optimisation Week, with both theatres running extended lists from Monday through to Saturday, to further test and demonstrate the hospital’s potential to increase the number of operations delivered on the site. Our intention is to continue to develop Bridlington to be a thriving hub for the community, working in partnership with our wider health and care partner organisations."