Christine Lavers, of Moor View Drive, Teignmouth, writes:

I attended a meeting in respect of the proposed doctors new-build and the Teignmouth Hospital closure, on Thursday, May 24, at the Alice Cross Centre. Present were members of the League of Friends of Teignmouth Hospital, plus associates and two people from the NHS Foundation Trust who had attended to answer people’s questions.

It was clear from the outset that those from the NHS were under a great deal of pressure to explain why Teignmouth Hospital should be closed. In my opinion neither could do so adequately. One answer given was that all the Teignmouth surgeries desired to be under one roof as their premises were stated to be no longer suitable for their function. How is that a reason for the hospital’s closure?

It became obvious as the heated discussion took place, that persons governing the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and our hospital want to bring about closure simply because they are in the process of introducing the New Model of Care (looking after people in their own homes). This in my opinion will leave many people extremely vulnerable.

How easy, it appears, for able-bodied individuals to decree and expect people to support themselves in their own homes with some, possibly getting a few medical visits per day, if they can afford it.

The New Model of Care appears to me a retrograde step when the frail and vulnerable are left alone at night, to fend for themselves? What a sad and tragic state of affairs! The fact of the matter is that people have little choice other than to be at home as there is no other option open to them.

It must be obvious to all that the CCG and NHS hierarchy wish to sell off the hospital site. One is then left wondering what will happen to the funds raised from the sale? I am certain that the people of Teignmouth and surrounding area will be the last to know!

The question of what happened to the 12 promised rehabilitation beds came up. The gathering were told that they were deemed not needed! This idea was met with disgust. With closure of our local hospital and many nursing homes having closed already how far will the infirm have to travel in order to be accommodated in their failing days? Most likely, as with other services it is sure to be out of town and even county; and that’s if they’re fortunate.

Questions were posed over the future of the PPI hospitals of Dawlish and Newton Abbot once their contracts expire. The meeting was informed that they would be sold back to the NHS Trust. Of course, they would not be given back free of charge. No doubt, another large amount of money to be wasted.

I suspect, that if not making profit the PPI hospitals would be closed down – and an even worsening plight would be ahead for the public. This matter was soon passed over by the governors.

Once Teignmouth Hospital closes many of the clinics and the excellent services will no longer be available to patients locally. Plus, they will probably end up with reduced services. Bearing in mind that a great deal of money was recently spent on the hospital to get most services under one roof it is ludicrous to suggest that it is not fit for purpose!

Teignmouth Hospital has a theatre for minor operations, a physiotherapy department, outpatient facilities, a health and wellbeing hub etc. If the trust have their way, people of the locale will be forced to travel further for their medical treatments. How can that be considering sick people and how is it right?

A map of the Teignmouth Hospital site was given to the people from the NHS to point out how much unused extra space was at the site for a new-build for doctors etc. Why, should our great hospital be closed due to the doctors’ desire to be relocated; and especially as they wish to retain their independence? Perhaps, they want to share coffee and tea break facilities in between seeing patients!

It is my belief that the most obvious solution is to accommodate them at the hospital site. As to the map it was taken away – but will it bring any response?

I suppose that as with the non-arrival of the 12 hospital beds, services at the hospital, will gradually be eroded and then of course the people will be told that the hospital is to be closed as it isn’t used enough!

People of the area keep protesting against closure of our wonderful hospital in any way that you are able!

How can a new-build for doctors take precedence over the superb medical work and procedures that are carried out at our hospital.

Save it for future generations!