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Anguish after cuts to Scarborough treatment times
A HUSBAND has spoken of his wife's plight after staff shortages led to cuts in vital dialysis services.
Malcolm and Caroline Wright, of The Grove, Seamer, have vowed to fight changes in operating hours at Scarborough's NHS dialysis unit, which they say are unworkable and have caused undue stress to patients.
Mum-of-two Mrs Wright has been going to the unit for dialysis three times a week since suffering kidney failure three and a half years ago.
Her husband, a police officer, has had to negotiate a part-time contract to allow him to look after her and their children, Steven, seven, and Andrew, 13.
The unit, in the grounds of Scarborough Hospital, used to open until 9pm but now only operates from 7am to 6pm.
Mr Wright, 44, says these changes have effectively "removed dialysis services for the working man".
He said: "It's outrageous that they should do this. People could have to give up work completely because of this decision.
"It's impacting on us a great deal and causing a lot of stress. My employer has agreed to me working very specific shifts, but only for a maximum of six months."
Mr Wright has written formal letters of complaint to the unit's manager and to Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, but has not yet had a response.
However his wife was handed a letter while attending the unit last month which cited staff shortages as the reason for the earlier closing time.
The unit is now open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm – but Mr Wright has suggested that more working people would be able to access services if they changed the hours to 9am – 8pm.
Scarborough's MP Robert Goodwill has also been looking into the issue.
The unit is staffed by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and run with health company Fresenius.
A spokesman acting on behalf of both organisations said: "We have received a formal complaint on behalf of the patient and we are in the process of responding to them formally.
"The service has improved with the development of the Bridlington unitwhich has enabledthe Bridlington patientsto dialyse closer to their homes and no longer travel to Scarborough.
"This has reduced the demands on the Scarborough unitas planned and allowed it to operate more effectively to the satisfaction of the majority of patients who are now able to dialyse in their local unit at a time convenient to them. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate every individual request but we do work hard to offer a workable solution."
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Weather for Scarborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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