Adam Dance MP presents petition in Parliament on proposed Yeovil stroke unit closure

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has presented a petition in the House of Commons raising serious concerns about the proposed closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s hyper-acute stroke unit (HASU).

The petition follows an online campaign that gathered more than 12,000 signatures from residents across Yeovil and surrounding areas, highlighting the strength of local feeling on the issue.

Presenting the petition in Parliament, Adam called on the Government to ensure that no decision is taken without clear and robust evidence, particularly around travel times and patient safety.

Adam Dance MP said:

“Residents across Yeovil and surrounding communities have made their views clear. There are real and serious concerns about what the closure of the hyper-acute stroke unit would mean for patient outcomes, especially when it comes to travel times to alternative hospitals.

“Stroke is a medical emergency where every minute counts. Around 1.9 million brain cells are lost for every minute a stroke goes untreated. With around 100,000 strokes each year in the UK, and one happening every five minutes, the importance of fast access to care cannot be overstated.

“This is not something that can be decided without a full and transparent evidence base. People deserve clear answers and reassurance that their safety will not be put at risk.”

The petition calls on the Government to review the proposed closure and to ensure that plans do not proceed until a comprehensive assessment has been carried out on the impact for local residents.

Adam has been actively campaigning on this issue since being elected, engaging with health leaders, Ministers and local residents to highlight the specific challenges faced by rural communities.

He added:

“I will continue to press for answers and to stand up for our community. We know that ‘time is brain’ when it comes to stroke care, and any changes to services must reflect that reality and put patient safety first.”

There are currently around 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, underlining the importance of effective and timely treatment.