NHS community hospitals in Teignbridge could be handed over to private companies if a review concludes that patient care would be improved. Devon Primary Care Trust is currently assessing the services it offers countywide and is looking to provide a wider range of care in hospitals such as those in Newton Abbot, Ashburton, Teignmouth, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey and Dawlish. Devon County Council is also involved, as it considers the future of its care homes such as Kenwyn, Ashburton, Mapleton, Newton Abbot, and Daw Vale, Dawlish. One result could be that existing health firms or new not-for-profit companies would be invited to take over the running of all the district's social and primary health care services. Staff currently working for the NHS would be transferred to the new operators much as Teignbridge Council staff were taken on by Teign Housing when it took control of council houses in 2004. Patients would continue to receive care as they do now but, according to the trust, would benefit from more services closer to home. The potential changes were confirmed on Wednesday by Dr Kevin Snee, the trust's chief executive, and board member Dr Nick D'Arcy, a Kingskerswell GP. The pair had just announced that a projected £22 million overspend had been dramatically turned into a break- even situation after a series of what they conceded were 'controversial' cutbacks which included reduced opening hours at minor injury units. The trust had also received £10 million back from the strategic health

authority after the government relaxed health finance rules. Dr Snee said of the future: 'We need to be less precious about who delivers the service. It's about delivering the best for the patient.' Asked if private firms would be considered as potential health care providers Dr D'Arcy replied: 'So long as they provide the same level of service, yes.' Cllr Stuart Barker, chairman of Devon County Council health overview and scrutiny committee, said the aim of the review was to eradicate what he dubbed a 'postcode lottery'. A new single body, he argued, could do that better than the existing health and social services. 'What I think we should be seeing in the future is a recipe of services still at the heart of the community but offering a wider range of services,' he said. Cllr George Gribble, mayor of Bovey Tracey, has long fought any downgrading of his community hospital. He said he thought service improvements would be welcome regardless of who provided them, so long as they were affordable and relevant. 'All we've ever wanted is local care for local people,' he said. Last month the health service union, Unison, staged a series of protests nationwide against what it said were the 'cutbacks and privatisation' in the NHS.