NOW that the stroke beds have left Crediton Hospital while the supposed consultation is still taking place, it is clear that the closure of our hospital beds is intended to be permanent. Nowhere have we seen any recognition by the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) of our petition to retain the beds here, despite the number of over 3,500 signatures. We have learned of the existence since midsummer of a "steering group" to plan future services in this area, but nobody seems to know who is on it, despite the expressed intention to ensure representation of "members of the community". This seems to me a very anti-democratic proceeding. The transfer of beds from Crediton to Ottery St Mary is also very hard to explain: reference is made to its "good transport links" - yet the railway station was closed nearly 50 years ago, and the town can only be accessed by a minor road from the A30, whereas Crediton is on a major route between Exeter and North Devon, with a bus service of four buses an hour plus others from surrounding villages and a railway station with regular trains connecting with main line services - an asset for families who come from other parts of the country to visit sick relatives. So who is participating in this steering process, and are they living in the same world as the rest of us? Mary Collins Chairman Crediton Hospital League of Friends.