The petition of residents of the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby,
Declares that Scarborough Hospital should once again provide specialist emergency assessment, investigation, treatment and care for patients who are potentially suffering from, or have suffered from, an acute stroke; and further declares that this is to avoid the need for patients to be transported, over 40 miles and often many more, to York Hospital from the East Coast region, and so that they do not undergo a lengthy and slow journey causing unnecessarily excessive clinical delays to their management out with current national guidelines, and so that their friends and relatives are able to readily visit them at a time of distress and need.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to ensure that Scarborough Hospital can again offer timely and accessible emergency care to acute stroke patients in Scarborough, Whitby, and the East Coast catchment area.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Alison Hume, Official Report, 4 November 2025; Vol. 774, c. 881.]
[P003127]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton):
There have been no direct stroke admissions to Scarborough Hospital since 2015. A limited “assess and transfer” model operated between 2015 and 2020 but was found to be clinically unsustainable and inconsistent with the approved national model for hyper acute stroke units.
Specialist stroke services are now delivered at York hospital, in line with national guidance and the recommendations of the Humber and North Yorkshire integrated stroke delivery network. This configuration provides safer and higher-quality care and has been endorsed by the Stroke Association, national and regional clinical leads, and the North Yorkshire scrutiny of health committee.
Patients with suspected stroke are conveyed directly to York hospital by emergency ambulance. A transport and health inequalities assessment undertaken as part of the regional stroke service review in 2020-21 concluded that the York model delivers improved clinical outcomes and more equitable access to specialist stroke care.
Rehabilitation and follow-up clinics continue to be provided locally in Bridlington and Scarborough to support patients closer to home.