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

It was with sadness, yet, absolutely no surprise that I read the front page article re Teignmouth Hospital (Teignmouth Post, April 20), stating that it is to be closed sometime in the future.

It would appear that the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Torbay South Devon NHS Foundation Trust have not listened to the voices of the people of Teignmouth, Shaldon, Bishopsteignton and surrounding areas in respect of closure of our hospital. There is no doubt that the people of the locale would like their hospital to remain!

At the consultation three years ago; and even now, people voiced and are still voicing their disapproval at the prospect of closure of their beloved hospital.

The consultation then turned out to be in essence a diktat. When other ideas were put forward they were thrown aside. When doctors spoke out against the proposed ideas made by the governing factions and in favour of keeping beds in the hospital their opinions were muzzled by the powers that be with reprimanding letters. All this is history of course. However, it is a reminder of what happens if one deposes hierarchy.

The people of the community were promised that 12 rehabilitation beds would be installed at the hospital, but, as most of us know they did not arrive at the designated time; and of course, now it seems they never will. Sadly, the promises of keeping the hospital open and with beds has been utterly broken! I attended a good number of meetings in respect of the 12 rehabilitation beds governing their installation, even to the point of looking at plans and suddenly the powers that be ground all to a halt! What a waste of time and effort! Also, why? I still question, in hindsight; and now with much scepticism, was there ever any real intention to reinstall beds at our community hospital?

My view is that the decision makers governing the future of our hospital simply wanted; and want to run the hospital facilities down and sell the premises off to the highest bidder. It is an oddity to me that in recent times large amounts of money were spent on the hospital to upgrade it. This poses another question, that after spending on the upgrade, why is the hospital being considered practically unfit for purpose? Also, why continue to ask for and accept monies from such a well meaning body as the league of friends, if in the final analysis it will all go to waste?

It is strange that a short while ago the public were told that Teignmouth Hospital was a place of Clinical Excellence. Once again how suddenly the winds change!

In terms of the upstairs area of the hospital of course one may suppose that there is no place for patient beds if the space is turned over to storage and used for administrative meetings, so the attendees may enjoy the lovely view that at one time lifted the hearts of the then inpatients.

It appears that the people of Teignmouth now have to attempt to save their hospital from utter annihilation. Friends of our area, please do your utmost to oppose the threat of our hospital closure. I urge the CCG and the Torbay South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to make a U-turn and instead of closure return Teignmouth Hospital to its fully functioning state.

Make it a place with beds, wherein patients may rest easy of mind that in their most vulnerable days they may be ministered to with care, empathy and with dignity.

Finally, how as people of governance over our local hospital can you be willing to close it. Teignmouth Hospital, both on the medical front and historical front (the first of its kind in the country) should remain!