BOVEY Tracey Hospital has been the subject of discussions between the town council and Teignbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT). The trust proposed to reduce the number of beds at the hospital to 'resolve risks to the health, safety and well-being of patients which result from the current congested layout of the hospital'. Bovey Tracey councillors visited the hospital before Christmas to look at the situation for themselves. They decided to accept the reduction of one bed from all three of the four bedded bays at the hospital if the PCT accepted certain conditions. These were that the scheme should be piloted for nine months, with three monthly updates on progress to the town council; a full review involving the town council at the end of the nine months; and a written statement from the PCT that Bovey Tracey Hospital would not be threatened with a further reduction of services or closure. The PCT was pleased to agree to these conditions, which were ratified at the PCT board meeting on January 25. 'It is the policy of this PCT to support and develop the service provided at, or through, our community hospitals,' said PCT director Phil Heywood.
