Scarborough And Whitby MP Calls For Review Of National Stroke Strategy

Alison Hume MP is pressing the government to review its national stroke strategy, arguing it fails to meet the needs of rural and coastal communities like Scarborough and Whitby.

The Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby has called for a review of the government's stroke strategy, arguing that it fails to meet the needs of rural and coastal communities.

Alison Hume has vowed to continue campaigning for the restoration of acute stroke services at Scarborough Hospital, following a government response that effectively endorsed the current configuration.

Last year, campaigners submitted a petition to the Department of Health asking for the return of specialist emergency assessment, investigation, treatment, and care for potential stroke patients.

A health minister at the time responded by stating there had been no direct stroke admissions to Scarborough Hospital since 2015, adding that a limited assess and transfer model operating until 2020 was found to be clinically unsustainable.

However, the Labour MP is pressing for change and has highlighted significant issues with the data used to justify the current situation.

Alison Hume said:

"There's only one word I can use to describe my feeling about my campaign at the moment and that's frustration.

It has been quite eye-opening to discover that you just can't get access to data, which we know people hold, but they don't want to give you.

So, my office has tried freedom of information from the York and Scarborough NHS Trust, and they've said they don't hold the information on the number of people from the area presenting with strokes to York Hospital, and they asked us to get in touch with the ICB. We got in touch with the ICB and they said they don't have it either, get in touch with the trust.

I will be bringing it to the attention of the new Minister about this problem about data, because I actually think that data is at the heart of this issue."

The MP believes that the national framework is heavily skewed towards urban centres.

Alison Hume added:

"They are using data that was gathered from metropolitan and city areas and inform the National Stroke Strategy. And my view, as I've got more and more into looking into this is that the strategy needs reviewing because it doesn't cover the needs of rural and coastal communities.

I'm not saying that the whole strategy is wrong, but I think it needs reviewing.

And I'm really pleased that the new chief executive of the York and Scarborough NHS Trust comes from a background where she understands remote, rural, and coastal issues."

Despite the challenges, the MP thinks there is hope that local efforts can shape future policy.

Alison Hume stated:

"I believe that even though the government strategy is working against us, what's happening on the ground here in Scarborough and the work that people are doing in the medical profession will inform a new stroke strategy."

During a recent meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, Councillor Rich Maw questioned the MP on what evidence could realistically persuade decision-makers to reconsider the situation.

He noted that the government had rejected the case for restoring acute stroke provision at Scarborough and enquired about her push for a thrombectomy service in North Yorkshire.

Responding to the ongoing concerns, Alison Hume said:

"I continue to campaign for Scarborough Hospital to be able to scan for strokes and provide treatment.

I've met with the Minister for Secondary Care about this, and I'm holding a debate in the near future on the fact that North Yorkshire doesn't have a 24/7 thrombectomy service.

Money has gone into improving the service in Leeds, but not into Hull to make it 24/7. And thrombectomy is the clock-busting intervention that we really need to have 24/7 access to."

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Hume confirmed her immediate next step is applying for a debate on why Yorkshire and the Humber lack access to around-the-clock elective services.

She plans to follow this with a longer debate focusing specifically on stroke services in coastal communities, hoping to garner support from MPs nationwide who face similar geographical challenges.

Ms Hume noted that local constituents remain miles away from vital stroke services, but emphasised her determination to ensure initial scans can be conducted at the brand-new A&E department at Scarborough Hospital.