Mel Stride MP met with Dr Derek Greatorex, Clinical Chair of the Southern Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group yesterday to discuss the future of the community hospitals in Bovey Tracey and Ashburton. The CGG is currently consulting on their future plans with public engagement meetings in Bovey Tracey and Chudleigh this week and meetings in Ashburton and Buckfastleigh next week.
During their meeting Mel strongly argued that “locally-based” services must be central to the delivery of healthcare provision within these communities and must form a firm and central part of the CCG’s future plans. He said:
“I fully appreciate the huge strain the NHS is facing with an ageing population and increases in health problems such as obesity, dementia and diabetes. Hospital admissions alone have increased by a third in the last decade. I agree that no change is not an option and support the CCG’s aim of treating more people in their homes, which can be more cost effective and in the majority of cases is the preferred choice of the patient. However, it is imperative that we enhance the provision of healthcare services that are delivered locally – both hospitals are natural locations for this enhanced provision. Retaining and enhancing Bovey Tracey Hospital and Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital must remain firmly on the table.”
In addition to the CCG led consultation events Mel is holding his own consultation programme with meetings to be held with stakeholder groups in his constituency on Thursday 22nd September.
The venues and dates for the remaining CCG led public meetings are: Chudleigh Town Hall on 16 September at 6.30pm, Ashburton Town Hall on 20 September at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm, and St Lukes Church in Buckfastleigh on 22nd September at 6.30pm.
