THE Mayor of Okehampton has met with an NHS boss to discuss the future of the town’s hospital and the prospect of it being utilised as a ‘health and well-being hub’.

Following a decision by Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s (NEW Devon CCG) to cut all 16 in-patient beds at Okehampton Community Hospital, Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Jan Goffey met with the CCG’s chief officer and accountable officer, Janet Fitzgerald, to discuss the hospital’s future.

Cllr Goffey said that during the meeting, Mrs Fitzgerald referred to the development at Budleigh Salterton, south-east of Exeter, which used the former hospital premises to provide a health and well-being hub.

‘Mrs Fitzgerald gave a clear indication that, for the future of Okehampton Hospital, it would be wise to consider something similar to the Budleigh Salterton development’, said Cllr Goffey.

She said the concept of a health and well-being hub referred to a centre which offered a range of support, medical clinics and activities — many of which focused on community engagement.

In response to a question which asked whether Okehampton Hospital would be turned into a health and well-being hub, a spokesperson for the CCG said it was too early to confirm.

‘The CCG is extremely keen to work with stakeholders in Okehampton to ensure we can maintain and further develop sustainable, safe, and high quality health services.

‘It is too early to say how these will be shaped, but we are committed to an ongoing dialogue to ensure that all parties are kept in the loop, and that the services that emerge will be appropriate for the needs of the local community.’