On behalf of the Seaton Hospital Steering Committee, I am pleased to issue the following press release:

The Seaton Hospital Steering Committee, comprising representatives of the local community elected at a public meeting, has been working hard to develop a business plan for a community hub which would take over the wing of the Hospital which Devon NHS no longer requires for its services. 

In developing our plan, we have met with a range of groups and organisations which are interested in using space in the building. The aim is to bring different sectors of the community together, so that the new space serves local people of all ages and offers facilities which local groups can use to improve their health and wellbeing.

Since early this year, monthly meetings have been held with the NHS’s Integrated Care Board and NHS Property Services, which owns the Hospital building, in order to clarify the terms on which community use would take place. The present aim is to present a plan to our partners by the end of June. 

Following the successful application to list Seaton Hospital as an Asset of Community Value, the Committee has also submitted a funding application to the government’s Community Ownership Fund, which accepted our initial expression of interest, and Richard Foord MP (a member of the Committee) has sought support in Parliament for the community to make full use of the empty wing at the hospital to assist with health and wellbeing issues.

Contacts:

General enquiries about the Committee’s work: Martin Shaw, saveseatonhospital@gmail.com 07972 760254

Enquiries about using space in the Hospital wing: Ben Tucker, ben@restoreseaton.co.uk