I SHOULD like to draw attention to the possible closure of in-patient beds at Crediton Hospital as discussed by Dr Joe Mays at the Annual General Meeting on March 21 of the League of Friends of the hospital.

The likely consequences of such a closure are extremely serious.

Visits from family and friends are vitally important for patients' welfare.

We are only about 10 miles from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, for someone trying to visit a patient there: two buses, or three for someone coming from one of the villages; or driving round all the car parks and surrounding roads, as happened to me recently, before giving up and returning home!

So patients from the Crediton area can expect few visits - acutely distressing for them and their families, especially where end-of-life care is involved.

So does the alternative of nursing care at home offer any better hope?

Sadly not, I fear. A recent survey by Unison of their members involved in home care revealed a very worrying situation: those visiting patients at home were deeply concerned about the fact that their timetables did not allow them to provide the care that was needed and they felt isolated, unable to get the support they needed from their employers and colleagues.

We already hear reports of people needing services like physiotherapy and occupational therapy and unable to get them.

Is it really credible that patients, being more often nursed at home, will be able to receive these and other scarce services?

I am an arthritis sufferer in my mid-80's and I can't even persuade the local authority to come to my house to collect the refuse!

"Greatly enhanced care at home" is not going to happen.

It may well be true that many of the under-45's in Crediton do not know we have a hospital - and of course most of the people needing hospital care are over this age.

But if, as some TV quiz shows suggest, most people cannot name the Chancellor of the Exchequer, does this mean that we do not need one?

Mary Collins

Chairman

Crediton Hospital League of Friends

By email