Mel Stride MP met with Bovey Tracey Hospital League of Friends Chairman Avril Kerswell recently to discuss healthcare provision in the town. At the top of the agenda was the possibility of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group using several rooms at the new Community Centre in Bovey Centre when it is finished. This idea was also discussed at a meeting with local stakeholders in Bovey Tracey on Thursday. Mr Stride has been chasing CCG Chairman Dr Paul Johnson for a decision on a future Health and Wellbeing Centre in the town throughout 2018 – something Dr Johnson pledged at the meeting to provide an answer on as soon as possible.
Mr Stride said:
“When the CCG took the decision to close the hospital the communities of Bovey Tracey and Chudleigh were promised that a variety of health and wellbeing services would be available through a Health and Wellbeing Centre. I am encouraged that many of these services are already being provided either out of Riverside Surgery in Bovey or Tower House Surgery in Chudleigh. But we still need a decision on whether a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Centre is being planned or whether the CCG intends to deliver the same services via multiple local locations.”
Cllr Kerswell added:
"Anything that can be done to keep healthcare provision as local as possible for the people of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield is a welcome move so utilising the new Community Centre could be a good option. While a decision is being made the League of Friends will continue, as ever, to support the local community and provide funding for vital medical equipment for our surgeries and community nurses.”
