CONCERNS raised about some bed closures at Crediton Hospital by the Courier on behalf of a local resident have been defended by Devon Primary Care Trust.

The relative of a patient at the hospital said she believed some wards were closed and beds not available because of a lack of money.

She said the hospital had not been able to employ staff to cover when required due to costs.

Also, she said a local campaign should be started to retain Crediton Hospital and the services it provides.

When the comments were raised with Devon Primary Care Trust, Gary Patch, cluster manager for Crediton hospital, told the Courier: "The ward at Crediton hospital manages both general medical patients and people who have survived a stroke.

"The number of beds on the unit sometimes fluctuates depending on the dependency levels of the patients on the ward and the needs of the service as a whole.

"This means that in peak demand periods, the beds are increased above the average 12 beds, as they were last winter.

"Similarly, if the dependency level of our patients is high due to their level of disability then the number of patients we can manage safely is temporarily reduced.

"The staffing levels at Crediton Hospital are in line with those required in any of our community hospitals.

"We appreciate the support of the local community in relation to the hospital and would like to reassure them that there is currently no plan to reduce the number of beds permanently."

Local councillor, David Nation, joint-chairman of the Crediton Hospital Campaign Group, said it was on this issue that the Campaign Group was formed.

He added: "The financial pressures on the PCT and their general drift towards limiting admissions and length of stay so resources can be switched to day and domiciliary care does create a risk that community hospitals like ours will suffer, so I'm convinced we have to be vigilant."

MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN

Meanwhile, Crediton Hospital patients are being asked to rate the hospital that treated them.

A new online service, launched by Health Secretary Andy Burnham, allows patients to rate and compare hospitals on issues such as cleanliness, car parking and waiting times.

It is available at: http://www.nhs.uk">www.nhs.uk .

As patients now have the right to choose when and where they get hospital treatment the new web-based scorecard will provide all the information they need to choose which hospital is for them.

Information on the site includes mortality rates, infection rates, cleanliness, staff performance and quality of food, as well as the views of people who have used the hospital's services.

Sally Slade, Devon Primary Care Trust's managing director of health and social care delivery, said: "Offering patients the option to rate their hospital gives them real power and puts them at the heart of the NHS.

"This new site will help patients to share information about health services and make an informed decision about their treatment.

"We already encourage feedback from patients on a local level but this goes one step further, giving the patient a real say."

Alan Quick