THE Annual Meeting of the Friends of Okehamp­ton's Community Hospital took place on Tuesday, May 19 when officers were all re-elected and new members were recruited to the committee. 

Members welcomed Dr Tom Bell from the Okehampton Surgery who spoke and answered questions mainly concerning the reorganisation of the Redvers Ward and the introduction of the government's new policy on dementia. 

Members expressed concern about distances involved when patients were referred to the Partnership Trust and it was resolved that the committee would seek a further meeting in June with Dave Hodge, the community psychiatric nurse.

The Chairman, Martin Perry, gave his annual report and the Treasurer, Lena Williams reported that the year had incurred an excess of expenditure over income of some £2,400.  It was hoped that the Flag week from June 1 to 6 and income from the Okehampton Show stand would help to restore the balance. 

The meeting heard that the committee had already paid for or promised for 2009 an ECG machine, wheelchairs, a skin temperature machine for the podiatrists, a treatment couch and a 'resusciAnne' to assist with staff training.

Officers re-elected were: President — John Marvin; Chairman — Martin Perry; Treasurer — Lena Will­iams; Secretary — Mary Rattenbury.