CREDITON COURIER: ALAN QUICK

WHEN the doctors of the Eastern Locality Board of NHS Northern, Eastern and Western (NEW) Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) met on Wednesday, May 27, Mid Devon District councillor Judi Binks presented the director, Dr Jenner, with a petition containing more than 700 signatures from local people urging the CCG to save the in-patient beds in Crediton Hospital.

Cllr Binks explained that it was vital to show the Eastern Locality Board, which is responsible for deciding the future of Crediton Hospital beds, the strength of feeling amongst the residents of Crediton and surrounding villages.

She said that the decisions they make in committee rooms far away from the scene need to be put into the context of ordinary people's expectations of a decent community hospital provision.

She said: "I knew it was important to let them know at this stage because their decisions were due to go forward to the Governing Body on June 4 when they were going to make their final recommendation to be discussed by the Health and Well-being Scrutiny Committee on June 18 at County Hall in Exeter.

Since that meeting Dr Jenner has written to Cllr Binks to thank her for the petition.

In his update "Transforming Community Services in the Eastern locality" he states: "At it's meeting on May 27, the Eastern locality of NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG) made recommendations to the CCG's Governing Body regarding prevention and well-being services, services for adults with complex needs and stroke care services.

"No formal recommendations were made to the Governing Body on in-patient beds and urgent care.

"Many of the clinicians on the Eastern locality board work in local community hospitals and therefore it was felt that it would not be appropriate for the board to make a decision on these subjects.

REFERRED

"Due to the importance of the decision and strength of public opinion, the CCG wishes to ensure comprehensive information is available, including the views of the clinicians present on the Eastern locality board, so that the Governing Body is fully informed before making a decision.

"The decision will therefore be referred to the Governing Body meeting in July."