Cllr Chris Cullwick, Liberal Democrat Vice Chair of the Council’s Health Committee, has written to the Secretary of State to highlight the imminent challenges York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust faces this winter.

In a recent meeting of the Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee, the Trust reported on a number of serious risks which would undermine their ability to handle increased demand for services during the winter period.

Care services in York continue to face unprecedented financial challenges and despite the recently announced £350 million by the Chancellor for the NHS this winter, far more is needed to create the extra capacity required.

The ramifications of a ‘hard’ Brexit are also being felt, as the Trust reported difficulties in recruiting to vacant positions, previously occupied by EU workers.

Cllr Chris Cullwick said:

“I am seriously concerned about our City’s capacity to effectively respond to increasing service demand this winter.

York’s NHS and Adult Social Care services are already facing huge financial pressures in their day-to-day work and given the Chancellor’s recent omission of Adult Social Care funding in his Autumn Budget, the burden looks set to worsen.

Furthermore, the Government’s dogged pursuit of a ‘Hard Brexit’ has adversely affected previously sustainable workforces.  Many EU Workers are leaving their care roles due to their tenuous position in the UK and services are finding it tough to replace them.  Even if more money was available, this seriously weakens the Trust’s ability to manage during the winter months.

The risks are clear and; the Government must act swiftly to address these issues.  I have written to the Secretary of State seeking his urgent attention to these issues and York’s position.