Thursday 20th August 2026
By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor
Bridlington Hospital exterior and Charlie Dewhirst MP following announcement of Care Unit closure
Bridlington Hospital’s Care Unit will close permanently after the Board of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust approved the move at its August meeting. The decision follows months of public concern, political pressure, and a petition signed by almost 6,000 residents calling for the unit to remain open.
Local MP Charlie Dewhirst said he “completely shares residents’ disappointment and anger”, criticising the Trust for only engaging with the public after significant pressure.
“It should not have taken nearly 6,000 signatures for the NHS Trust to bother with any public consultation whatsoever,” he said. “The pause and review we secured was the minimum that local people deserved.”
Why the Unit Is Closing
The Care Unit was opened in 2021 during the Covid pandemic as a temporary step‑down facility for patients medically fit for discharge but awaiting care packages. Funding from the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board ends in 2026–27, with resources being redirected to community‑based services.
The Trust says the closure aligns with the NHS Ten‑Year Plan to shift care from hospitals into the community, arguing that patients should return home “as soon as possible” with appropriate support. Engagement during the review period showed strong local opposition to the closure and a desire for better use of Bridlington Hospital.
MP Demands Clarity on Patient Care
Mr Dewhirst is now calling for the Trust and the Integrated Care Board to urgently publish a clear transition plan, including how rehabilitation and social care needs will be met under the new community‑based model.
He said no detail was provided about the length or nature of transition arrangements, adding:
“Residents deserve clarity, not more uncertainty over the future of the hospital site.”
Concerns Over Community Capacity
The MP warned that serious questions remain about whether local community and social care services have the capacity to absorb the demand previously met by the Care Unit. He pledged to scrutinise the rollout closely and challenge the NHS if promised support is not delivered.
He is urging residents to report any examples of inadequate community‑based rehabilitation or social care support so he can raise them directly with the NHS: charlie.dewhirst.mp@parliament.uk
