Mel Stride MP joined residents in Buckfastleigh at a consultation meeting held by the Southern Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) today, speaking passionately about the need to retain Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital. The CGG is currently consulting on their future plans with public engagement meetings in Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.
Mel has recently met with the Clinical Chair of the CCG Dr Derek Greatorex, arguing 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 explains:
“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.”
