CHRISTINE?LAVERS, of Moor View Drive, Teignmouth, writes:

With reference to the future of Teignmouth Hospital, the Coastal Commissioning Group consultation, ends on March 22. Due to this, on behalf of the people of Teignmouth, Shaldon and Bishopsteignton area, this is a final plea.

Having attended numerous meetings, it is evident that doctors and people of the locality are against the plan to axe hospital services, ie loss of all acute patient beds, loss of MIU and X-ray depts.

Why then does the CCG, still want to impose their plan on our hospital? CCG, how much discussion will it take for wisdom to prevail and for you to drop the draconian planned Options 1 and Option 2? When will 'the people's voice be heard?

CCG, why are you being dogmatically short-sighted in your medical planning? Teignmouth Hospital is greatly cherished, by the community, local GPs and the staff, who are working to make it a place of comfort and welcome when patients are often at their lowest ebb in life.

The need for our local hospital is immense, especially, when it comes to end of life care, hence the hospital requiring all its acute beds. Down the years the number of beds at Teignmouth hospital has been gradually eroded. This fact begs the question, was this done to facilitate CCG current proposals, to remove acute beds etc. along with the fully trained nursing staff?

Teignmouth Hospital was built in 1954, the first NHS hospital in the country. CCG, how can you think to downgrade it to a clinic, casting its worth aside so easily? Is that to be your legacy to Teignmouth?

People of the locale have voiced their protest at every meeting re options proffered. Please, CCG, re-think and re-configure a better rationale, an Option 3.

Our hospital desperately needs every acute, necessary, bed! With reason and understanding; and hopefully, a 'eureka' moment on your part, surely you can come to realise that the voice of Teignmothians is a rallying cry to keep the services of a real hospital here!

Long may Teignmouth Hospital remain a hospital able to serve the community fully in the 21st century.