TIME is running out for people to give their views on proposals to change the way some NHS services are provided.

Consultation on plans to switch resources from bed-based hospital care ­– including a facilities at Ashburton and Bovey Tracey – to community-based services reaches its deadline on November 23. 

South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says its plans are designed to meet the rising demand for services and to prevent people being admitted to hospital unnecessarily.

Local people can comment on the proposals at www.communityconsultation.co.uk  or can complete the questionnaire in the consultation documents.

Dr Nick Roberts, CCG chief clinical officer, said: ‘The proposals advocate a greater focus on prevention and helping people to stay well, investing in the community-based services that most people use, and reducing travel time by holding large-volume clinics in each area via a local health and wellbeing centre, as well as bringing some specialist clinics out of Torbay Hospital and into locality clinical hubs.’

He added: ‘Although the proposals, if approved, would see the closure of four hospitals, the CCG is committed to ensuring that there are sufficient hospital beds available across the area to look after people who really need to be admitted to hospital.

‘I would encourage everyone to give their views on all aspects of the proposals and put forward any alternative ideas on how we might meet rising demand for services within the budget we have available. It’s important that everybody has a say.’