THE GROUP that decided to close outpatient beds at Axminster Hospital is working with local communities in eastern Devon on the future use of community hospitals.

NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, known as the NHS New Devon CCG, is working with groups after a decision in July to close beds at Axminster Hospital.

The GP-led organisation will reduce the number of outpatient beds in the area from 174 to 163, with Axminster no longer having any.

The CCG believe the decision will allow them to invest £560,000 in community services for patients.

The group’s decision was examined by the Devon Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee last month where members agreed to set up a task group to look at it further.

Mid Devon GP Dr David Jenner, who chairs the Eastern locality of the NHS New Devon CCG, said: “Doctors on the CCG’s governing body made the decision to ensure community hospitals can provide clinically and financially sustainable care in the future.

“We will work with the Devon Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee task group to make sure they have all the information they need about how we reached that decision.

“We believe it is the right decision, in the best interests of patients throughout East Devon, and are now moving forward with our plans to improve community care for everybody in East Devon.”

Ottery St Mary, Crediton and Axminster Hospitals will no longer have inpatient beds, but the CCG insist the hospitals will still have an important role in providing a range of other health and wellbeing services.

Dr Jenner added: “Hospitals are fantastic resources for communities and they have a very bright future in Devon.

“But they must change to meet the needs of the modern patient.

“Hospitals are so much more than just inpatient beds and we look forward to talking to local communities about how their hospitals can support more people than they do currently.”

No decision has yet been made about the future of minor injuries units and walk-in centres and no proposals have been made about the future of individual services. This includes the walk-in centre on Sidwell Street.

The CCG was looking at the future provision of these services as part of the urgent care review, but this review is currently on hold while the CCG awaits further national guidance.