Health Secretary Hunt asked to review controversial NHS closures

POLITICIANS HAVE welcomed the referral of a controversial decision to close three minor injuries units in the East Riding to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

East Riding CCG voted last month to approve the closures at Driffield, Hornsea and Withernsea as well as beds at Withernsea and Bridlington hospitals, despite overwhelming opposition.

East Riding councillors on a health scrutiny sub-committee unanimously voted to refer the decision to Mr Hunt.

It means the matter could end up before the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, which gives expert advice on contentious NHS plans.

The CCG plans include opening urgent care centres, open 16 hours a day, at Beverley, Bridlington and Goole, as well as a “low level” minor injuries service at Withernsea and Driffield, which would have to be booked via NHS 111.

South East Holderness Councillor Lyn Healing said she was “delighted and relieved the committee has done the right thing”.

Graham Stuart MP said locals had registered their “profound opposition” to the plans. He added: “When the chips are down, the last thing they want to have to do is trek miles to seek treatment for a minor injury or to visit a loved one.”

Committee chair Coun Barbara Hall said there were serious concerns including accessibility to services and level of engagement with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and private sector residential care providers. She added: “It was the view of the committee that these proposals pose a risk to health care provision in the East Riding as a whole and we have been left with no alternative but to make this referral.”