THE story appeared in the Courier on Friday, September 12 Issue 998. A member of staff of Crediton Hospital criticised both the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and the Northern Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (New Devon CCG) concerning plans for the future of the hospital. The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust announced on September 4 that the inpatient service at Crediton Hospital is to close "temporarily" – in one month's time from the beginning of November. Inpatients will be discharged to their homes or another care setting. Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive of the trust said that there were "ongoing issues concerning the nursing rota" and that "by working towards a planned and "temporary" closure it would minimise the impact on patients and staff." The "whistleblower" explained that uncertainty, caused by two years of "scaremongering" from senior managers about the possible closure of the inpatient service, had caused many members of staff to leave - causing the staff shortages that has been given as the reason for the temporary closure. There has been outrage from members of the public at plans to turn the hospital into a "Health and Social Care Hub." What do you think? Please let me know by contacting me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email [email protected]">[email protected]. Readers are also invited to take part in the poll on the Courier website http://www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk">www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk.

What you told us ..........

I am a bit disappointed that the overnight beds are closing. My wife had a knee operation and had to see a chiropractor – the care she received was atrocious – it was six weeks before anyone came back to us. We went to Exeter in the end. It is a shame as without the overnight beds there is nowhere in Crediton for people to convalesce. Mr Hooker, Shobrooke. With pic NP 190914 05

I don't think it is a good situation. I supported and signed the petition against the closure of the overnight beds at Crediton Hospital. Beryl Batters, Cheriton Fitzpaine.

I think it's disgusting. I think our hospital should be further developed, for instance with an x-ray department. Travelling to Exeter is not going to help the environment. With all the new houses they are building we need a hospital in Crediton. Nan Gaskell, Crediton.

It's a wicked shame! We have had a member of family ill and it is much more difficult to visit someone in hospital if they are in Exeter, and patients feel more isolated - Public transport is not great and it is very difficult when you are caring for someone poorly. The beautiful thing for Crediton is that when someone is visiting a patient they can pop in the local shops and buy flowers or fruit. The hospital is needed to help keep the town going. When they say a "temporary" closure, is it because they are not brave enough to say it will be permanent? Julia Pratt

Online Poll

We asked our readers: Crediton Town Council hopes to set up a new Neighbourhood Plan in order to get feed back from the community - do you think this is a good idea? At the time of going to press the results showed: Yes 83% No 17%