Protest against Devon health cuts involving almost 600 bed losses

Campaigners were out in Torrington Credit: Seth Conway, ITV News

Health campaigners have been protesting in Devon today (16/9) against potentially huge cuts to NHS services in the county.

A leaked document from the NHS's Success Regime, set up to analyse the future provision of health services, has outlined significant changes.

  • Almost 600 hospital beds to be cut across the county

  • Acute services to be concentrated at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital which could see the Stroke unit in Barnstaple close

  • Maternity, paediatrics and Neonatology to be in two centres in Devon at Plymouth and Exeter which would result in North Devon maternity in Barnstaple closing and Torbay be put under review.

A day of protest is planned outside The Success Regime offices in Exeter on Monday (19/9) morning before the Save Our Hospital Services campaign group move on to County Hall to lobby Devon County Councillors on the health scrutiny committee to oppose the plans.

Campaigners were out in Torrington this morning to raise public awareness of the NHS plans.