Barbara Daw, of Miners Close, Ashburton, writes:

I attended the meeting about the future of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh hospital held in Ashburton Town Hall on October 23 and felt very saddened about what may happen to our hospital but very encouraged by the strength of feeling in the room.

I was a member of that hospital's league of friends for 27 years, the last 12 or so years of which I served as secretary, resigning in 2009.

I was still on the committee when the plans for the refurbishment of the hospital were being considered. As we were advised that the number of beds were being reduced from 12 to ten, there was concern amongst us but we were assured by the then Primary Care Trust that the future of the hospital would be secure. Indeed the then hospital manager, who was a passionate supporter of our cottage hospitals, told us that it would be 'a facility for the 21st century' for the people of our two towns and the immediate moorland communities.

Now we are told that community hospitals with only ten beds are not viable. I would like to know how, in the space of only three years, has that come to be so?

Another question I have is why is the relatively new Newton Abbot hospital so underused when the old hospital was so extremely busy?

We are now being told that our hospital is not fit for purpose. Again, how did it become so in such a short period of time?

Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital League of Friends has always been very well supported by locals as it is perceived as 'ours'. To throw away all the money used to refurbish is absolutely criminal. No wonder the finances of the NHS are so dire!

Surely it would be more costly to convert two four-bed wards, two ensuite palliative care rooms and a large day room to outpatient use than to put in the bells and whistles of a 'fit for purpose' inpatient hospital?

I can foresee absolute uproar if these plans are to be put in place.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION