Health Services: Bridlington

Opened the debate

The MP thanked the Minister for being present, acknowledging the significant health challenges faced by Bridlington. He highlighted that the town has an older and more deprived population than other areas in East Riding of Yorkshire, with residents having shorter life expectancies and higher levels of long-term illness or disability. The supply of dental services is notably poor, with children going without regular check-ups and many adults resorting to expensive private options. GP practices have been consolidated but still face challenges in securing appointments for patients. Out-patient hospital care has seen a substantial decline over the past four years, leading to increased travel distances for residents seeking treatment. The MP stressed the need for an integrated health strategy addressing these issues urgently and called on the Minister to focus efforts specifically on coastal towns like Bridlington.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledged the gravity of the health challenges in Bridlington and expressed his commitment to addressing them. He outlined the Government's three major shifts: from hospital care to community-based care, from analogue to digital service delivery, and from treating sickness to prevention. To develop a 10-year plan, they will engage in comprehensive consultations with the public, healthcare professionals, and local stakeholders. Regarding dental access issues highlighted by the MP, the Minister announced plans for additional urgent dental appointments and further procurement reviews for Bridlington. Concerning GP services, he assured ongoing efforts to recruit new GPs and improve access. For hospital care at Bridlington, there was a commitment to explore capital requirements during the spending review. The minister emphasised narrowing health inequalities and improving life expectancy in less advantaged areas such as coastal towns.