Hospitals placed under microscope

The future of community hospitals in East Yorkshire is to be discussed at a meeting on Thursday.

Primary care trust members will have in front of them an external review of the hospitals in Driffield, Withernsea, Hornsea and Bridlington.

This says that health care should continue at each site but it could be organised in different ways.

Officials are stressing that no decisions will be made without the full involvement of the public and staff.

'Protect healthcare'

There have been fears that some of the hospitals could close, meaning patients would have to travel many miles for treatment.

But Sharon Knapton who chairs the Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust says this is not on the immediate agenda.

"We have never at any point said we were going to close any hospitals overnight," she explained.

"While nothing is decided yet our intention is to look at ways of improving services on the community hospital sites.

"However, the advice form the external consultant shows clearly we must change the way services are provided to protect local healthcare for people in the years ahead."

The review's recommendations include more integration of hospital and GP services, the development of more nurse-led services and making better use of existing beds.

Any changes to the way the hospitals operate are expected to be introduced in 2006.