Go-ahead for plans to cut 71 community hospital beds across East Devon despite widespread opposition

Sidmouth Victoria Hospital’s vital inpatient unit has been saved after health bosses today (Thursday) voted to keep 24 beds in the town.

Proposals to cut 71 community hospital beds across East Devon are set to go ahead - despite widespread public opposition - following the decision by the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) governing body.

But in a shock turnaround, members changed their recommendation in favour of Sidmouth retaining its inpatient unit, along with Exmouth, which will have 16 beds and Tiverton is to keep its 32 beds.

Seaton is now among those set to lose all of their community hospital beds.

The CCG laid out the proposals in a bid to plug an expected £384million deficit by 2020/21 and to move away from hospitals towards a more home-based model of care – something it says was broadly supported during the consultation.

While today’s news will bring relief in Sidmouth – a community that has contributed £5million to its hospital – its still represents a blow to campaigners who fought against any bed cuts across the region.

Read the Herald for more reaction.