I sympathise with the comments made and agree we seem to be going backwards in this area.

However, the ambulance service now appears to be called upon for silly ailments like a broken nail or for someone who cannot get home because they have no money late at night (no doubt they spent it all on drink).

I suggest we charge for such call-outs.

Bridlington Hospital's minor injuries department very often cannot treat ailments which would seem to be within its abilities.

Sometimes we hear it is due to a lack of equipment; perhaps Scarborough has taken it?

It appears this area is not alone with these problems, although that does not make it any better for us.

The tourist season makes matters worse and I suppose the best advice is:

1 Try to get yourself to the hospital if you are able to drive or someone you know is.

2 Do not fall ill on a weekend or at the height of the tourist season if at all possible.

3 If you are an outpatient at a hospital a fair way off, try to leave at a reasonable time – not after midnight otherwise the taxi fare will probably give you a heart attack anyway (speaking as someone who has had one by the way).

Once you are in the system, the treatment and attention is fine – as are the hospital and ambulance staff. The trick is getting there.

I doubt if our masters in Parliament are ever told there is no ambulance available as Mr Wilson was, nor will they have to wait an hour on occasions as we mere mortals have to.

AC Howarth,
West Crayke,
Bridlington.

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