Futures Forum: The future of Devon's hospitals >>> delaying a decision to refer "Orwellian" plans to close hospital beds across Devon to the Health Secretary
The messages coming out of Seaton have been far from mixed:
My case for the Health Scrutiny Committee to refer the hospital beds decision to the Secretary of State « SEATON & COLYTON matters
A frustrating day, but further chances on Thursday and in July to challenge the CCG « SEATON & COLYTON matters
The District Council's Scrutiny Committee met yesterday to consider the same proposals:
220617-scrutiny-agenda-combined.pdf
They have been very forthright in their demands:
“EAST DEVON BACKS SENDING HOSPITAL BEDS ISSUE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE” | East Devon Watch
Pressure mounts on county council to refer hospital beds closures to Health Secretary
By WMN_PGoodwin | Posted: June 23, 2017
Campaigners in East Devon
Councillors have called for a halt to NHS bed closures in East Devon and urged an influential health council committee to stop dithering and refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
Devon County Council deferred a proposal this week demanding the controversial plans be sent to Jeremy Hunt as placard-waving protesters gathered at Exeter's County Hall.
Critics of the NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) scheme to close community hospital beds in Exeter, Seaton, Honiton and Okehampton, packed into the meeting on Monday, jeering attempts to postpone the matter.
On Thursday, East Devon District Council's (EDDC) scrutiny committee ratcheted up the pressure on county councillors ahead of an emergency follow-up meeting to make a final decision before the end of July.
A motion calling for the existing level of community hospital beds in East Devon to be maintained, with no closures, was passed last night.
It expressed "great concern" that under CCG plans there would be no community hospital beds east of Sidmouth, leaving many residents far from the nearest hospital facilities.
Independent county councillor for Seaton and Colyton Martin Shaw, said the decision the decision put "saving beds back on the agenda" and set out a clear path for the July meeting.
Read more: Potential closure of Honiton and Okehampton maternity units is criticised
He added: "I am very pleased at the strong cross-party case made for East Devon hospitals and especially the mounting support for looking again at the CCG's completely indefensible abandonment of Seaton. Keeping beds in Seaton has had tremendous backing this week.
Councillor Shaw also said it had been "obvious" that CCG representatives: Dr Sonja Manton at the Devon meeting and Dr Kerr at EDDC, had refused to answer direct questions about the flawed case for axing Seaton's beds. I am optimistic that when this comes back to Devon, councillors on the Health Scrutiny Committee will pick up the Seaton issue and we will finally get justice for our communities," he added.
Pressure mounts on county council to refer hospital beds closures to Health Secretary | Devon Live
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