'We need Government to intervene to save Teignmouth and Seaton hospitals'

Campaigners trying to save Teignmouth and Seaton Hospitals today celebrated after they called for the Government to intervene.

They gave evidence to the county council's health scrutiny committee, with those speaking being 'applauded' by fellow campaigners, who also staged a demo before the meeting.

Concerns raised included a lack of beds in the county - and its impact on 'bed blocking' and waiting times at the main hospital sites - as well as an ageing population who need support.

One campaigner asked 'can you trust the trust' as they outlined the long process to try to save the various sites.

In response NHS bosses said they would not comment on today's decision to refer the Teignmouth Hospital closure decision to the Health Secretary - but did say they are willing to listen to 'prospective occupants of the space' at Seaton as they look to plug a £40-million deficit.

A report looking at options for Teignmouth Hospital can be found here:

You can find a link to the meeting - and the various reports - here

In February, Teignbridge Council was applauded as they unanimously backed calls to reopen Teignmouth Hospital- rather than close it and replace it with a smaller GP-led health centre.

Due to financial pressures, Devon’s Integrated Care Board is looking to transfer a wing of the hospital to NHS Property Services – a Government-owned company that rents out NHS facilities

Under the current arrangement, rent and service charges for the space amount to £300,000 per year, due to it being classed as ‘clinical’ space. However, the wing in question has been largely unused since 2017, when a decision was made to remove beds from the hospital.

Questions were today asked - by the committee - about how a ward was empty for six years, costing £300,000 a year, when money could be better spent on staff.

A spokesperson for NHS Devon said: “After the beds were removed at Seaton in 2017 following full public consultation, new ways of looking after people in the local community – often in their own home – were brought in and have been very successful.

“Since then, the ward has sat empty and the void space currently costs the NHS in Devon about £300,000 a year in rent and other charges – poor use of taxpayers’ money at a time when we are forecasting another budget deficit of more than £40 million this year.

“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 (NHSPS) 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.”

The NHS has also published more details about the background for the Seaton decision

Last week at a packed public meeting of more than 200 people at Colyford Memorial Hall, local MP Richard Foord pledged to do all he can to prevent plans that would see the 'diminution of Seaton hospital'.

The MP added: “The hospital belongs to the community.  Members of the community and volunteer groups raised millions to help fund construction and equipment – including the very ward that is now threatened with demolition. We cannot allow it to be taken away from those who worked so hard to build it.

“NHS Property Services needs to review the way they rent out facilities such as this. Seeking to charge local charities and community groups a market rate that has been pitched at the upper-end clinical rate is short-sighted and wrong. 

“I have met recently with NHS Devon, NHS Property Services, and the Seaton Hospital League of Friends charity. There are potential solutions, but we need the political will from those in Government who have the power to make these decisions. 

“NHS Property Services is a Government-owned company with just one shareholder, the Health Secretary Steve Barclay. He has the power to resolve this situation and secure the long-term future of our hospital, and other small rural hospitals across the country." 

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