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Scarborough and Whitby MP Call for Better Healthcare Access in Coastal Communities

Sunday, 8 June 2025 06:00

By Matthew Pells

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has called on the government to implement a cross department strategy to deliver better access to healthcare for people in coastal communities.

Speaking in a Westminster debate this week the MP highlighted the health challenges facing coastal communities like Scarborough.

"I'm proud to represent the beautiful constituency of Scarborough and Whitby. However, away from the tourist lens we have our deprivation.

My constituents suffer high rates of chronic illnesses like heart disease and have lower life expectancies.

In Scarborough life expectancy for people living in Ramshill, where child poverty is prevalent, is 10 years less than those living in Ayton, a mere 10 minute drive away.

Despite this, my constituents struggled to access healthcare in a timely manner, even emergency care"

Alison Hume highlighted problems with the stroke service in Scarborough.

"Since the closure of Scarborough Hospital stroke service in 2020, patients suffering strokes. Are sent directly to York, well over an hour away.

The first 60 minutes after a stroke occurs is known as the golden hour. The faster you can be treated, the more likely you are to survive and recover. Despite this one constituent told me that their partner's emergency journey to York in a blue lit ambulance took 90 minutes.

This is the everyday reality for people in disadvantaged coastal communities.

The chief medical officer warned in 2021 of a crisis in coastal healthcare. Yet we still have no national strategy to combat it. So this is my plea to government.

We need a cross departmental strategy to deliver better access to healthcare in our disadvantaged coastal communities, and we need it now."

 

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