A TEIGNMOUTH RESIDENT (name and address supplied), writes:

If the powers that be truly believe the loss of our hospital in return for a new doctors surgery is the best option for the people of Teignmouth, Shaldon and Bishopsteignton then tell us why, and tell us where, because Eastcliff car park and Brunswick Street, although mentioned, are apparently not in the running, which only leaves the hospital site (unless it’s going to be out of town or a red herring!). Then you can have a meaningful public consultation.

Would you prefer to retain your hospital and the services it provides, or, have a combined doctors surgery?

Of course that is not going to happen because closing the hospital is NOT in the best interests of the local people, it is simply a box-ticking exercise to cut X number of beds in Devon.

What sane person would choose to go to Torbay Hospital (providing you have your own transport and can find a parking space) for a podiatry, audio, visual, physiotheraphy clinic/treatment or undergo a minor operation, when they could access all this and more at Teignmouth Hospital? What’s more, can Torbay cope with all this extra work?

Why can’t we use our hospital beds to allow local people needing recuperation being moved home closer to their friends and family and freeing up beds at Torbay for those requiring medical treatment? The same applies to those nearing the end of their lives, are they to be sent back to their own homes to die alone? Shame on you.

If you want to keep your hospital, you must fight for it.