Seaton filmmaker Chrissy Evans’ new 3-minute film has had 3,500 Facebook views in two days. Showing two women discussing – in no uncertain terms – the proposed disposal of the hospital wing that was paid for 100 per cent by local people, the film has captured the continuing mood of defiance in our East Devon community. You can play video here

Chrissy is the writer and director, and the film features local actors Mary Bowles and Val Christmas. Their group, Bus Pass Productions, has made several lighthearted-but-serious films aimed at older people, including, last year, one on dementia. ‘Old age is no place for the weak, but laughter is a strong weapon’, says Chrissy. To contact her: Chrispleck51@hotmail.co.uk or 07814 323988.

Meanwhile, in Parliament …

Richard Foord MP has had the reply (see text below) from the Government to the 9,000-strong petition that he presented recently. Unfortunately, it ignores the elephant in the room: that the ‘market rents’ that NHS Property Services charges are inappropriate for a community hospital paid for by local people. This makes the parliamentary debate on NHS Property Services, which Richard has obtained for tomorrow [today] (23rd), all the more pertinent.

Progress towards use of the wing for community health and wellbeing activities

The Seaton Hospital Steering Committee is preparing its plan for using the wing and has recently held a constructive meeting with Devon NHS ICB and NHS Property Services. Regular meetings will take place until the summer.

Contact: Professor Martin Shaw, Secretary, Seaton Hospital Steering Committee 

07972 760254

Text of government reply to petition

[Out of one pocket and into another – net change zero – very clever these Whitehall Mandarins – Owl]

The Government is aware that the NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking to review its future requirements for Community Hospitals. We understand that the building of Seaton Hospital in 1988 was only possible with significant public fund-raising and that the continued availability of healthcare services delivered in community hospitals are strongly valued by the communities they serve. However, they also need to be able to adapt to changing clinical needs. 

Between 2015 and 2017, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (now the ICB) undertook a review of community services which resulted in the transfer of ownership of the North Devon community hospitals estate, including Seaton Hospital, to NHS Property Services. At the same time the service delivery model was changed, resulting in a reduced requirement for community hospital beds and leading to some properties such as Seaton being significantly underutilised.

The ICB is responsible for meeting the costs of continuing to run this operational property and in seeking to address its significant financial challenges is now considering how best to rationalise its property needs. 

Ultimately, whilst the long-term healthcare commissioning requirements for Seaton Hospital is for the ICB to determine, the operational costs of running the property have to be paid for and therefore a long-term sustainable use must be established. The ICB is currently working closely in partnership with NHS Property Services to identify and evaluate suitable options to achieve this objective. Whilst the property remains an operational healthcare facility, it is not surplus to commissioning requirements and there are no current plans to sell the facility.

The Government believes that ICBs are best placed to make decisions on commissioning services for their communities, working with local authorities, stakeholders and local populations to meet people’s needs.