A DEMONSTRATION in support of retaining community hospital beds in Holsworthy was held in the town on Saturday morning.

A crowd gathered in The Square just before noon and with placards raised set off for Holsworthy Hospital. As passing motorists tooted their horns in support numbers increased as they moved along North Road.

Among the crowd and waving a placard was 104-year-old Cush Aegerter, accompanied by members of her family.

Also in attendance was Conservative county councillor for Holsworthy Rural Barry Parsons, and James Craigie, a member of Unite Communities.

The march ended in front of the main doors of the hospital where Cllr Parsons thanked the demonstrators and said the large number of people who had attended the public meetings in the town had made a strong case for the retention of beds at Holsworthy but the next few days were critical — North Devon Healthcare Trust’s decision on the future of community hospital beds is imminent.

Mr Craigie said that whatever the decision Unite would keep up the pressure on the Healthcare Trust.

Demonstrations that have taken place in a number of towns follow the launch of a consultation which will decide where the axe will fall on North Devon’s cottage hospital beds.

The NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which organises healthcare in the area, said it would close 34 out of 70 beds in the locality with money saved to be invested in a Care Closer to Home project.

Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs North Devon District Hospital and many of the community hospitals under threat, embarked on a three-month consultation on which beds should close.

Residents and hospital users were urged to get involved and have

their say.

The options for the location of beds:

— Two community hospital sites — any two out of Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and South Molton

— One site at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH)

— One site at NDDH and one at a community hospital site.

And they listened!COMMUNITY beds at Holsworthy Hospital will remain open.This was the decision — made moments before the Post went to press — of the board of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust during a meeting at North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple, on Tuesday morning.The meeting came at the end of a six-week consultation of how the relevant care can be achieved by the trust within its budget.In a unanimous decision, it was confirmed that beds at Holsworthy and South Molton are safe. Bideford and Ilfracombe Hospitals, however, will lose their medical beds.Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust communications manager Katherine Allen said the decision on Holsworthy was reached having viewed the public feedback.It was also felt that Holsworthy and South Molton serve the largest, most rural and dispersed population. The two hospitals also have the most modern buildings and have less difficulty in recruiting staff.Thanks were extended to everyone who took part in the consultation exercise. More than 600 responses were received.