Plans to cut 71 community hospital beds across East Devon still on the table

Sidmouth’s vital inpatient unit is now recommended to be saved from closure, with a final decision due imminently today (Thursday).

The town was set to lose all of its 24 community beds under plans put forward by the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) - but in a shock turn around, health bosses have proposed they remain.

Plans to cut 71 beds – reducing the overall number from 143 to 72 - across East Devon are still on the table and a final decision is expected to be made at the CCG’s governing body meeting this afternoon.

In documents presented to the meeting, NHS bosses recommend that - taking into account all evidence and consultation feedback - Sidmouth should keep its 24-bed unit.

The CCG had previously favoured an option to maintain beds in Seaton hospital and axe Sidmouth Victoria Hospital’s inpatient unit, but now the former looks set to lose out.

Exmouth is recommended to keep 16 beds and Tiverton – which has always been considered a fixed point – will have 32 beds.

Further updates will follow shortly.