The people of Holsworthy and South Molton are rightfully rejoicing in the saving of the beds in their community hospitals.

It is a tribute to the community spirit in Holsworthy that, within a few days of being aware of the possible bed closures, over 600 people attended the public meetings. This illustrates people’s appreciation of the hospital and its dedicated nursing and ancillary staff.

However, we must not forget that the closure of beds in Bideford and long term suspension of beds in Ilfracombe still represent a regrettable loss of community hospital beds in North Devon.

During the short period of consultation local people began to realise the threat to these valuable resources. Throughout the consultation process we were denied access to the financial details of the plans and it was not until local North Devon GPs were finally invited to meet with the Trust, on the last evening of the consultation period, that the dire position of the ND Healthcare Trust community budget began to become obvious. In reality they have insufficient funds from the New North Devon CCG to run a fully viable service and this is only likely to get worse in the future.

Last week, national figures were released giving details of the ‘overspends’ throughout the NHS. The current Government may make a few more million pounds available for window dressing projects but our increasing life expectancy means that billions of pounds of investment are needed at a national level.

We currently operate one of the most cost-effective health services in the developed world but no politician dares suggest a tax increase with the extra revenue being dedicated to the NHS.

What can be done locally to protect our health services? Firstly communities must all remain vigilant and ready to react again if budgets drop further. It is possible that the leagues of friends of local hospitals will have to be more politically responsive.

We now realise that consultation periods can be short and small hospitals can be picked off one at a time, with community played off against community. If it had not been for a chance conversation and the help of the auctioneers and businesses in Holsworthy on market day, word of the threats would not have spread through the community so effectively.

In terms of long term planning the Healthcare Trust must consider other options for community care but these need to be evaluated over several years and have guaranteed long term funding. Cases from Torrington are now demonstrating how initial promises of community support and services after hospital closure are already being reduced.

I make no apology for sounding alarmist but it is vital that we all remain alert to inevitable further cutbacks. If we value our NHS we have to fight at a local and national level for a realistic budget for the services we need. Ultimately this may mean accepting that we have to dig into our own pockets, and taxation is still the most effective way of funding our heath care and protecting the old and vulnerable in our community.

From Dr David Hillebrandt

Derriton, Holsworthy