Ray of Hope for Teignmouth Hospital

Campaigners from Teignmouth, Shaldon and Bishopsteignton were delighted by the unanimous vote of the Health Committee of Devon County Council to refer the closure of Teignmouth Hospital to the Secretary of State for Health. Devon County councillor for Teignmouth, David Cox told the PRSD: “We have been campaigning to save our hospital, for over five years. This is wonderful news; we have a chance to save Teignmouth Hospital.” The League of Friends of Teignmouth Hospital said it could provide almost £1m in funding to refurbish the facility as a recovery hospital and help ease demand on the NHS. The decision to close the hospital was made by health bosses in 2018. Local councillors said there was much more pressure on the health system since the original decision. Teignbridge District Council voted to support the hospital and agreed to write to the Secretary of State for Health to call for a review into the planned closure.

As part of plans to close the hospital, some services have been moved to Dawlish Hospital and there are plans for a new health centre in the town. However, hospital campaigners said current pressures on NHS hospitals in Devon showed beds were needed. Susan Cann, who was a nurse at Teignmouth hospital when it first opened, said the facility once boasted 34 beds and an operating theatre. She said the health system locally was in a "terrible state". “Torbay Hospital seems to be stuffed up with patients, keeping Teignmouth Hospital open will help" she added. Councillor Martin Wrigley Teignbridge council leader, said: "Community hospitals can play a really important role in providing those beds that enable people to leave main hospital beds and go somewhere before they go home. "Places like Teignmouth can provide that opportunity."