Streamers and balloons?
Champagne and canapes?
Mince pies and mulled wine?
Well, here is the “celebration” in full swing:
And did you know that:
£200,000 of League of Friends money has been ploughed into it
and
it is a “pilot project”?
A pilot project in probably the wealthiest part of East Devon.
One wonders why the less affluent towns of, say, Axminster or Ottery St Mary (also with closed hospitals) were not chosen.
On second thoughts – Owl doesn’t wonder at all.
East Devon Watch 
So the Budleigh Hospital opens as a Hub – the first hospital in Devon to have no beds.
“A Hub, according to its website, is a term used to describe a place where many different services and organisations are based. This usually has a focus on a building, but can be virtual – internet or literature based.” [I don’t think they mean Jane Austen – just bumf]
“It is anticipated that a range of activities, such as arts, sport, dances and other social events will provide opportunities for people to socialise. There will also be an internet café, public WiFi and cinema space screening educational productions as well as films.”
“Staff at the centre will be able to refer people onto other services if required, meaning that waiting times are reduced, and you will be able to access support as and when you need it.”
According to the Oxford Dictionary a hospital is an institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for ill or injured people. Welcome to the brave new post truth world where words mean what you choose them to mean (Alice in Wonderland). [I bet “access support” doesn’t mean what you think either].
Oh and another thing – the Friends are reported to be donating c. £200K to pay the rent to NHS Property Services (a private limited company currently 100% owned by the S of S for Health) who are now charging economic rents for the property. But remember where this property came from. The Budleigh Hospital, like many others, started as a charity but was absorbed into the NHS in 1948. Looks like donors are having to pay twice over!
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Is this just a new name for a Community Centre? And why are the LoF raising funds to pay for arts, sports, dances, café, cinema etc? Is this really what people want a League of Friends to pay for? I suppose if its not actually a hospital anymore, or really anything to do with healthcare, then perhaps the Budleigh LoF don’t have much else to raise funds for any more. (I don’t mean this as a slight against the Budleigh LoF, I’m just questioning what’s really happening here.)
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