A COLLECTION of almost 300 comments in favour of saving Teignmouth’s much-valued Hospital has been emailed to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP).
This body, appointed By Health Minister Sajid Javid, is look into proposals by the CCG which could close the hospital.
Following a drive on social media and by email by campaign organiser Viv Wilson, comments in favour of retaining it and giving reasons why it should be saved have poured in.
Among numerous common sense statements concerning bed blocking, convenience and difficulty of travel, there are heart warming examples of its value from simple one liners ‘It saved my life’
Among them were emotive stories such as Janice Heather Carver’s: ‘I had the absolute good fortune to be seen by my consultant at Teignmouth hospital.
‘I got more out of this one appointment than 10 at Torbay hospital. A far more relaxed consultation for both me and my consultant.
‘This led me to a headspace for recovery.
‘Lest you forget healing of illness needs the mind and the gut. Large hospitals and medical centres drain patients from the belief of self-healing so greater resources are needed that so often fail and keep patients in the loop of endless appointments.
‘Please NHS governing bodies think outside the monetary box. Personal care means greater healing success and less resources.’
λ League of Friends Chairman Bob Naish pointed out the considerable sums of financial support provided since the League was formed in 1954 in tandem with the opening of the new hospital by the Health Minister, the Rt Hon Iain McLeaod.
λ Ton Clark, a trustee of the League stresses the importance of the community hospital that provides a safe and reassuring environment for local people.
The return of the new rehab beds provided by the League has been requested and the re-opening of the two wards on the upper floor is seen as an obvious solution to the chaos that is evident at Torbay.
The large number of clinics that continue in the hospital are hugely valued and countless examples of superb kindness and efficient treatment are recorded.
Teignmouth Football Club and Teignmouth Rugby Club have pledged their support to the campaign.
Former Registered Nurse Yvonne Lamond said: ‘Pressures on our Hospitals and the NHS are at an all time high – what justification can there be to close Teignmouth Hospital!
‘Please reinstate our Hospital and make the best possible use of it to relieve these current and ongoing pressures.’
Covid has been frequently mentioned, with Trevor Wall saying:
‘As a regular user of the hospital in the past 50 years, I think the proposed closure of any hospital is diabolical at present in view of a) the increase in life- expectancy b) the steady increase in population in this area and c) the current Covid plague.’
Former Teignmouth resident, now a researcher in the field of health, Professor Gavin Andrews emailed from Toronto:
‘The Teignmouth hospital has great social value and historical significance. The research is clear that the closure of these types of facilities is to the detriment of peoples’ health. Credit will be given to those who make the correct decision to halt this closure.’
A simple plea from a former League committee member Maureen Powell reads: ‘Please save our lovely little hospital.’
Viv Wilson added: ‘The new physio unit was only built in 2011– thousands were spent on it.
‘The League of Friends raised up a large part of the cost.
‘If the hospital was sold off or demolished it would represent a disgraceful waste of resources.
‘Resources worldwide are frighteningly limited now. It would amount to criminal damage in my book.’