IN-PATIENT beds could be re-instated at Crediton Hospital sooner than many believe.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RD and E) has bid to run the adult complex needs community service across the Commissioning Group’s Eastern Locality and, it is believed, this could include running Crediton Hospital with in-patient beds.

Crediton Town Council is actively supporting the re-instatement of in-patient beds at Crediton Hospital alongside the Crediton Hospital League of Friends, the Crediton and District branch of Devon Senior Voice, doctors, former patients and individuals.

Crediton Town Council wrote to Angela Peddar regarding Crediton Community Hospital on July 1 and a reply has been received by EM Wilkinson-Brice, the deputy chief executive/chief nurse for the R D and E NHS Foundation Trust.

EM Wilkinson-Brice writes: “As I am sure you are aware the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (R D and E) has bid to run the adult complex needs community service across the Commissioning Group’s Eastern Locality.

“The existing contract, run by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust (NDHT), is due to come to an end in October of this year.

“The R D and E believes there is a compelling case to better link acute and community services in the same geographic area and a more integrated system provides an opportunity to consider how services can adapt and transform to better meet the needs of our population.

“There has been a delay in finalising the procurement of these services caused by a complaint to the healthcare regulator Monitor about the procurement process managed by Northern, Eastern and Western (NEW) Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

“Whilst we await the final result of Monitor’s investigation we know there is nothing in their preliminary views that prevents the R D and E continuing with the procurement and we hope to complete this over the coming few months.

“Given the delays in the process, and that the R D and E does not currently have access to the information it requires to undertake due diligence, it is not possible to provide a meaningful answer to your questions at this stage.

“However, as this process continues, I would be more than happy to brief the Town Council at an appropriate time, if the contract for these services is awarded to the Trust.

“I am very mindful that at a time of change, people within Eastern Devon will have many questions about how services for adults with complex needs will develop.

“We are confident that we can provide a high quality service that is more joined up and better meets the needs of the community in the future.

“These aspirations have already been set out through the consultation work undertaken by NEW Devon CCG.

“Nevertheless, how these services develop over time will require sustained input and dialogue with communities and we look forward to working with you in the future to help develop this approach.”

PUBLIC MEETING

To this end, Crediton Town Council has arranged for a public meeting to take place on Wednesday, September 16, regarding the future of Crediton Hospital.

The meeting will be attended by a guest speaker, Dr Helen Tucker, Vice President of the Community Hospitals Association and will enable members of the public to take part and share their views and discuss the future of the Hospital.

The meeting will take place at the Boniface Centre, Church Lane, beginning at 6pm.

Dr Tucker has carried out a number of research studies on community hospitals.