Christine Lavers, of Moor View Drive, Teignmouth, writes:

I commend the Teignmouth doctors who have spoken publically against cuts proposed at the local hospital re closure of the MIU and removal of acute beds.

If the strongly recommended Option 1, proffered at the Alice Cross meeting goes ahead, Teignmouth Hospital will be down-graded to a clinical centre. A hospital is only a hospital if it has doctors, fully qualified nursing staff, acute beds for patients and an MIU.

Given that Teignmouth was the first NHS hospital in the country, one would hope that rather than having facilities/services cut further, it would be held as a 'model' local hospital (to show the advantages of having local hospitals throughout the country alleviating the pressures on major hospitals).

Teignmouth Hospital has had many improvements due to funding from local people ie a lift, a physiotherapy department, transrectal probe, even beds (which are designed for acute patients) and much more equipment. Why then, this sudden move to reduce it to a clinic?

Population figures, plus projected figures show that Teignmouth is growing. Why then, are Teignmothians expected to tolerate a lesser medical service than neighbouring Dawlish?

Throughout 2014, I worked to promote Teignmouth Hospital, putting on displays around the town.

During that time there was no mention of closing frontline hospital facilities, or getting rid of nurses.

A fully functioning hospital is what people need. Once nurses are abolished who will carry out care after medical procedures? Will patient bindings be administered by a person with a 'knack' for wrapping packages – how pretty!

Planners, please re-think and deliver a more favourable plan, that Teignmouth may retain its status as a hospital with acute beds.

Sixteen acute beds to serve Dawlish, Teignmouth, Shaldon and Bishopsteignton – any caring person would agree – is totally inadequate for this area.