Hospital beds under threat in Devon

Hospital beds are likely to be cut to save money Credit: PA

Campaigners have slammed proposals that could see the closure of wards at up to four community hospitals in the region.

Northern Devon Healthcare Trust has a budget shortfall of £11 million. It's now consulting as to whether it should remove inpatient beds at Ilfracombe, Holsworthy, Bideford and South Molton where public meetings about the plans is taking place today at 3.30pm, 5pm and 6.30pm.

The consultation - entitled "Delivering safe and effective care within the budget" - will run until Tuesday 29 September.The options are:

  • Two community hospital sites (any two out of Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and South Molton)

  • One site at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH)

  • One site at NDDH and one at a community hospital site

The Trust says the proposals are also in line with the NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group's long-term strategy to support more patients in or close to their own home, which it believes is a better way of caring for people across Northern Devon.

But opponents say it is placing an unnecessary burden on families to care for loved ones who should be in hospital.