THE future use of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh and Bovey Tracey community hospitals are once again in the spotlight, as well as other medical services.

When proposals were revealed last year to close inpatient services at these community hospitals there was widespread opposition at public consultation meetings.

Torbay Health Trust had suggested relocating the ten inpatient beds at Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital to Newton Abbot Hospital where, it was stated, the £25 million hospital opened in January 2009 was under used.