It was decided in May by the Northern locality  Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who purchase our local heath care, that the total number of in-patient hospital beds, in community hospitals should be reduced from 74 to 40, as part of its aim to care for more patients at home.

This decision was taken on the basis that many people who needed time for rehabilitation, or help to fully recover from an operation, could be helped to do so in the comfort of their own home. Indeed it was felt that some people could be treated at home and need not go to hospital at all.  The money saved from the reduction of in-patient beds would be used to fund enhanced  services in the community, so providing care closer to home.

The community buildings would not close, but could be used for day care, day surgery, out patient, clinics and treatment centre, so preventing the need to go to Barnstaple hospital for follow-up appointments.  Also, voluntary groups, social groups and advice organisations could use the buildings to promote health and social activities.

The CCG are the purchasers of the health care.  The Northern Devon Healthcare trust are the providers of that healthcare.  The number of community beds are going to reduced to 40.  That has been decided.  The question now  is where will those community/rehabilitation beds be located ? We have community hospitals in Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and South Molton

Ilfracombe would require refurbishment costing £2.5 million which looks likely to put it out of the running . The in-patient beds are to situated in only two locations. In addition to the three remaining community hospitals there is the possibility that North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple could become the home for a rehabilitation ward.

There are going to public consultation meetings in our area during August.    If you have something to say about these changes – especially where you would like to see the beds located –  then try make it to one of these meetings taking place at 15.30, 17.00 and 18.30 at the following locations:

Tuesday August 18: Landmark, Ilfracombe

Thursday August 20: Holsworthy Memorial Hall

Tuesday August 25: Assembly Rooms, South Molton

Thursday August 27: Stucley Hall, Bideford

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