THE FUTURE of Teignmouth Hospital and its proposed new health and well being centre came under the spotlight as two local authorities staged meetings simultaneously.

While Teignbridge Council planners gave the go-ahead for the multi-million pound three storey centre on a derelict site in Brunswick Street, members of Devon County Council’s health and adult scrutiny committee heard that a task group, set up to look at putting the case for keeping Teignmouth Hospital open back to the Sectary of State, has a long list of questions for the NHS.

The committee has given the NHS 28 days to respond and the task group is due to report its findings in September. 

NHS representatives have stressed the planning application for the town centre premises is entirely separate from the future of the existing hospital. 

But Teignmouth county councillor David Cox insisted the NHS had not yet bought the site and the hospital was needed to provide beds to help the backlog of patients needing discharge from acute hospitals.

Teignbridge planning committee members were reminded their decision had to be on planning issues alone.

The timing of both meetings meant supporters, objectors and some councillors were faced with choosing which to attend. 

Planning committee members heard from a retired GP from Teignmouth’s Channel View surgery which is due to move into the new centre and whose 18,000 patients represent 80 per cent of the population.

She said it had taken seven years to get to this stage, working to ‘sustain and maximise provision of care’ and described is as a ‘massive and fantastic opportunity’.

The purpose-built premises will house 150 staff and the bulk of the town’s GPs while being modern, flexible and ‘future proof’.

Councillors were told Channel View’s current Victorian premises are no longer fit for purpose and the lease is due to run out next year. 

Its state negatively impacts recruitment of GPs and staff and the delivery of services to patients.

Hotel chain Premier Inn’s bid to build on the site, which is earmarked in the Local Plan for regeneration, collapsed several years ago.

Objector Gerald Penny spent more than 10 minutes raising his objections, describing the ‘whole situation’ as a ‘mess’.

He argued there was no provision for public transport to the site, a lack of parking for staff and patients and questioned the credibility of a report from consultants.

And he said he believed the cost of the new premises was four of five times more than it would cost to upgrade the existing hospital.

Teignmouth ward members Cllr Joan Atkins and Cllr Peter Williams both supported the application.

Cllr Williams said Brunswick Street was the best option, having considered other possibilities over many years. 

He said it was ‘paramount for the town and community’.

Members were told a loss of parking spaces would result in a net gain in extra spaces in other car parks. 

Cllr Chris Clarance made it clear the application was in no way related to the hospital.

He said: ‘This is not to be confused with the fight to retain services at the hospital, that’s not what is before us today.

‘Teignbridge Council has already unanimously supported keeping the hospital open.

‘By granting the application, it in no way means the fight to save Teignmouth Hospital is over.’

Members voted in favour of the application.

However, at Devon County Council, it was the future of the 1950s built hospital, the first NHS hospital built in the country, which was being discussed. 

Geralyn Arthurs, a long standing campaigner, gave an impassioned speech, pleading with the committee: ‘Please look after the vulnerable, frail and elderly who need our hospital and all the health service provision.’ 

Committee vice chairman and leader of Teignbridge Council Cllr Martin Wrigley explained that the task group had a series of questions to ask the NHS.

He said: ‘The feeling in Teignmouth is very, very strong on this issue and there has been some very strong evidence provided by the Friends of Teignmouth Hospital.’

Lawyers for the council described the referral process as ‘lengthy and complicated’.

He said the process had not moved as quickly as he had hoped and added that there had been a ‘legal issue’ which had slowed it down.

He said: ‘We need to build a sufficient path to refer the decision to the Secretary of State on the basis that the hospital is needed in the long term interests of the people of Teignmouth.’

Jo Turl, of the NHS, explained: ‘We know there is tremendous support for the health and well being centre.

‘Funding is secured for the application and although there unfortunately have been delays so costs have increased.

‘We know how important the centre is for GPs in Teignmouth.’

But Cllr Cox insisted the health and well being centre was a ‘red herring’.

He said: ‘We do need a place for GPs and we are in danger of losing GPs but Teignbridge Council has to make its decision based on planning laws.

‘The NHS hasn’t actually purchased the site as far as I am aware.

‘Teignmouth Hospital is needed to help clear the backlog of ambulances waiting and people needing discharge from acute hospital.

‘The Friends have put forward a very good case for needing to retain the hospital and has put in a lot of money.

‘It beggars belief that the Government is proposing to open new hospitals, it wants to close this one.

‘Teignmouth Hospital is very much needed and while there is a lot of emotion, there is a logical case for keeping it open.’

Cllr Wrigley asked to confirmation that the new health centre was not dependent on the sale of Teignmouth Hospital.

Ms Turl confirmed they were two separate issues.

She also explained that Healthwatch, with an independent chairman, would be meeting to discuss the future of the hospital. 

Cllr Wrigley explained that the legal issue he mentioned was that the NHS had questioned the legality and the right of the committee to refer the closure decision to the Secretary of State.

He insisted: ‘We absolutely do have the right to scrutinise and the legal issues will be determined when the task group reports back.

‘It will be interesting to see how hard a battle the NHS wishes to take.’

Members noted the report.