The Hinge Project

Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire identified through their insight that people in Bridlington are facing difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare.  They worked with the Hinge Project, which provides support to people in a particularly deprived part of Bridlington.  They undertook a series of engagement events and a survey to which 12 people responded.

From the community engagements and the survey results, three main themes arose: 

Lack of NHS Dentists: With only one NHS dentist currently operating within Bridlington, many residents are left without dental care due to the cost of private dentists. 

Access to Primary Care:  Many clients at The Hinge Centre expressed dissatisfaction with their GP practice, specifically that they struggle to get access to appointments. This contrasted with positive feedback given about pharmacy services in Bridlington. 

Travel to Healthcare Appointments: Healthwatch heard how many people are only able to access healthcare appointments if they are within Bridlington. Although Yorkshire Ambulance Service runs a patient transport service, the strict criteria means many do not qualify for it. This leaves a high demand on community transport services which are unable to cope. 

Residents of Bridlington would benefit from increased availability of services at Bridlington Hospital to increase their accessibility and reduce travelling costs for the patient.

Throughout this project it was clear to see the many different ways in which The Hinge Centre supports local residents. The survey answers demonstrate the wider impact of the help given by The Hinge, indicating many clients feel a sense of community and support from the centre. These responses evidence the importance of face-to-face community support, such as that provided by The Hinge Centre, and the need for adequate long-term funding for such services.