TEIGNMOUTH Hospital's only 21-bed ward could be closed until next spring as tenders come in for the new £100,000 lift. Complications with the replacement of the 56-year-old lift could mean a run over of five months on the original three-month deadline. But bosses insist it does not point to a permanent closure. A closure is 'not on the cards', insisted Teignbridge PCT spokesman Liz Proctor. 'We have done everything to build up Teignmouth with the £30,000 maintenance programme. We are not about to lose it now. We do not want to lose beds at Teignmouth because we need them for the community. 'The trust wants to ensure that the work is committed before the management system is replaced with a new Devon Primary Care Trust in October. 'We do need to work quickly to ensure the new lift is committed before the changes,' said Ms Proctor. Companies tendering for the work have been on site and no firm estimates of how long the work will take can be made until it's completed. But specialists estimate that it could be the end of March before the first floor ward is re-opened. The old lift is still functioning but there is a high risk of total breakdown. Specialist engineers say it is not possible to install an 'off the shelf' replacement because of the size and position of the lift shaft. The new equipment will have to be custom built. Managers are now looking at options to see how beds could be provided during the busy winter months. A small number of rehabilitation beds could be put on the ground floor. They are also considering a hospital at home service, so some patients could be treated at home or whether some could be treated at nursing homes. Other services in Teignmouth are not affected. Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross said that the extended closure time is 'excessive'. 'I can understand that the ward needs to be closed while essential work is carried out but we are now looking at eight months which seems quite excessive. 'A number of concerned people have been in touch with my office and I have contacted the local Primary Care Trust to ask for clarification. In the meantime I know the staff at Teignmouth are being moved around the local hospitals and are naturally anxious about the future,' he said. Teignmouth town and county councillor David Cox said: 'I also have grave concerns about this closure and I am seeking guarantees that it will be re-opened as soon as possible.'
