9,000 urge Government 'don't sell off hospital ward, give it to the community'
The empty ward is costing the NHS ÂŁ300,000 a year
A 9,000-strong petition has been presented in Parliament urging the NHS to stop selling an empty wing at Seaton Community Hospital.
Recently campaigners urged Devon County Council's health committee to also intervene, saying it could be used for 'community use' instead.
The empty ward is costing the NHS ÂŁ300,000 a year, and an NHS spokesperson said: "In recent months, we have been talking to local health, care and community partners to see if they are interested and financially able to take on the space, but no viable schemes have been received and we started the process of handing the ward space back to NHS Property Services so we can save the money that is currently being wasted on it.
“We have always been very happy to talk to prospective occupants of the space if they have a financially viable scheme to take it on – and we remain so.”
Richard Foord MP said: “Plans to allow a wrecking ball to be driven through a wing of Seaton hospital would be hugely damaging - not just for Seaton, but for everyone living in the Axe Valley who rely on this facility for treatment.
“With this petition, the local community has spoken. In just a few weeks, over 9,000 people got behind my grassroots campaign and demonstrated their support for our hospital. It’s now time for Ministers to wake up, listen, and take action.
“Seaton Hospital is owned by NHS Property Services, a government-owned company with a single shareholder - the Health Secretary. With a single stroke of his pen, he could turn this building over to the local community and ensure it is protected for local people's health.
“The fact they have so far been unwilling to do this shows the disregard with which they hold our corner of East Devon. People here won’t stand for it. We need more than warm words; we need action.
“There are so many possibilities for this wing. A new care hub would offer greater levels of tailored care for elderly residents. I will continue to demand that the future of both Seaton Hospital, and all our Community Hospitals, are protected.”
For more about the campaign to save Seaton Hospital click here
The petition being presented can be found here