THE overnight beds at Crediton hospital are under threat. Two members of the North East and West Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (New Devon CCG), Doctors Jenner and Mays, both part-time local GPs, came to a meeting in Crediton on May 8, hosted by the Crediton and Area Branch of Devon Senior Voice (DSV), in which they spoke about the possibility of closing the overnight beds and changing the facility to an enhanced day care service offering chiropody, hearing tests and physiotherapy, etc., among other things. Many members of our community, some of which were directly involved with the initial fundraising to have the hospital built, oppose this idea of an enhanced day care service to replace the overnight beds and feel it is imperative that they stay in use. This opinion, about the value of fully functioning local community hospitals, is mirrored by a variety of experts such as new chief of the NHS, Simon Stevens, the Health Minister, Norman Lamb, health journalist for "The Telegraph", Dr Max Pemberton and the Royal College of GPs. In an interview for "The Telegraph", Simon Stevens warned that British hospitals had become among the worst in Western Europe at caring for local populations. Health Minister Norman Lamb also told "The Telegraph": "When I envisage a truly integrated system, having small, 'human-scale' hospitals is really a fundamental part of our vision." Dr Max Pemberton, in the same newspaper, said, "... this is the way the NHS should be going; small, local hospitals for general admission and those requiring rehabilitation and step-down facilities, and then expect centres covering larger areas for more specialised procedures, treatments or opinions." The compelling argument, then, for keeping overnight beds at Crediton hospital open, is that they offer crucial rehabilitation which also allows for long-term planning post-discharge. They also provide close to home end-of-life care and accessible visiting for family at this most sensitive of times. Transport to and parking at the RD and E (Royal Devon and Exeter) Hospital in Exeter is becoming increasingly difficult, which puts visitors under added stress when visiting relatives and friends. Also, discharge to a local hospital frees up much needed beds at the RD and E. There was a huge amount of local support to get the hospital built in the first place and to maintain it to present day. Also the land was gifted at a reduced price to the community by the late Dr Thurlow. DSV will be holding a rally in Crediton Town Square on Saturday, July 5, to gather signatures for a petition to present to the New Devon CCG before the end of July. This is when the CCG plan to make their decision about the future of the hospital beds, so time is of essence. On May 8, Doctors Jenner and Mays assured us that no decision had been made yet. We hope, if we can show them sufficient opposition, they will agree to keep the beds open. DSV urges people to come along and sign the petition on July 5. Further information is available from Pauline Thomas on 01363 866776. Paula Kovacs Devon Senior Voice by email