This week in Yorkshire’s health sector brought a stark mix of scrutiny and progress. As the Care Quality Commission exposed failings in council-run social care and Leeds hospitals faced a new inquiry into maternity safety, one North Yorkshire practice cut waiting times almost in half.

East Riding’s ‘inadequate’ care rating reignites regional debate

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) this week rated East Riding of Yorkshire Council as “inadequate” and Hull City Council “requires improvement” following the first round of its new adult-social-care assessments.

Inspectors cited leadership gaps, staff shortages and inconsistent delivery of support for residents. Both councils have pledged urgent action plans, but the findings have reignited debate over how well-equipped Yorkshire’s local authorities are to meet rising demand for care.

In West Yorkshire, councils such as Leeds and Calderdale continue to draw praise for stronger integration between hospitals, GPs and social-care teams. The closer collaboration has helped speed up hospital discharges and improve access to home-based support. But with winter approaching, the overall picture remains fragile.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust under fresh scrutiny after major service review

Hospitals in Yorkshire faced renewed scrutiny this week after an independent inquiry was announced into the maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The review, commissioned by the government and led by senior health figures, will examine how the trust handled safety concerns, incidents and complaints raised by families over recent years.

The inquiry follows growing national concern over maternity safety, after high-profile failings in trusts such as Shrewsbury and Nottingham exposed deep-rooted problems with culture, staffing and accountability in England’s maternity care. In Leeds, campaigners and bereaved families have long called for an independent review, citing delays in investigations and a lack of clear communication from hospital leaders.

Trust leaders issued a formal apology to those affected and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry. In a statement, the trust acknowledged that its previous responses to families were not always timely or compassionate and said it was committed to learning from past failures.

The investigation will run alongside local improvement work already under way within Leeds’ maternity units, which continue to care for thousands of families each year.

Routine GP waits fall sharply in Pickering

There was positive news for patients in North Yorkshire this week, as Pickering Medical Practice reported a 47 per cent reduction in routine GP appointment waiting times over the past year. Reducing waiting times from 19 days to 10 days.

A new nurse practitioner was recruited to expand appointment capacity, while a clinical pharmacist was appointed to handle all medication-related tasks – a change that has released around six hours of GP time each week. The pharmacist’s involvement has reduced the number of medication queries sent to GPs by 90 per cent, freeing doctors to focus on direct patient care and reducing workload stress.

Dr Helena Ebbs, a GP at Pickering Medical Practice, said: “The programme has had a great impact on me, the practice, my role in the CCG and federation. It’s energised my enthusiasm in a time of great pressure and given me something to enjoy. There’s been lots of benefits for my practice and patients, and I am really proud of the changes we’ve made.”

What’s next for Yorkshire’s care system

The CQC is expected to publish its next wave of council ratings early next year, with several South and West Yorkshire authorities among those to be reviewed.

This week’s developments sum up Yorkshire’s health story in miniature: deep challenges, serious scrutiny, and flashes of progress. From councils and hospitals under review to a GP team rethinking how it works, the region continues to show that even under strain, improvement is possible.