THERE’S a bright future ahead for Okehampton Community Hospital thanks to its dedicated Friends, staff and the support of the public.

Built more than 12 years ago to replace the Castle Hospital and the Memorial Hospital, and officially opened by HRH?Prince Charles on November 17, 2004, the hospital has gone from strength to strength and now offers a wide range of services and clinics, as well as its 16 beds within the four bays of the building.

‘People really love this hospital,’ said Martin Perry, chairman of the Friends of Okehampton Community Hospital. ‘We have four bays with 16 beds, and also a breakfast club which tries to get patients back into their routine and back to life in their own homes.

‘The bays are nice and light and they all have pleasant outlooks — it’s such a comfortable environment when you are not feeling 100 per cent — it’s little wonder patients really like our hospital.

‘There have been changes since the hospital was built but they are changes for the better and these include the many services we now offer which, I believe, people in the community are very grateful for.’

Walking around the hospital it was clear to see why people are passionate about the building and the services provided and don’t want anything to affect its future, especially after concerns were raised a few weeks ago over the future of the Minor Injuries Unit, which has now moved to Okehampton Medical Practice for the next 12 months.

‘But’, said Martin, ‘the only thing to change is the imminent transfer of the running of the hospital from the Northern Devon Healthcare Team to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital — there will be no difference to patients.

‘The Friends was formed in 2003 following on from its previous support organisation, the League of Friends, and we are enthusiastic supporters of the hospital and very proud of its facilities. We would fight tooth and nail for it to remain as it is supporting the people in and around Okehampton villages and community — there really is no threat to the hospital and has a very bright future ahead.’

Over its many years, services provided have grown and now there are more than 41 outpatient clinics available, from audiology for adults and children to a urology and X-ray department.

Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘We are hugely proud of the staff at Okehampton Community Hospital and at all of our community hospitals, who work tirelessly to offer great care for our patients.

‘We also have lots of really talented people working out in the community to rehabilitate patients, avoid admissions and promote health, wellbeing and independence.

‘These teams offer support to around 7,000 people in their own homes.

‘In autumn 2016, there will be a change of provider for community services for adults with complex needs in Exeter, East and Mid Devon to the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and this includes Okehampton Community Hospital.

‘We are currently working with the Royal Devon and Exeter to ensure a seamless handover of services.

‘The whole health and care system across Northern, Eastern and Western Devon is currently being reviewed as part of the Success Regime, which aims to transform services so they are both clinically and financially sustainable for the future, so we can continue to deliver great care for our communities.

‘We know that by working together with our GP and primary care colleagues, and with voluntary and independent sector partners, we can provide the type of care people really need.

‘Care should be delivered where and when people need it, keep people as healthy as they can be, and enable people to get back on their feet as soon as they can after they have been ill.

‘The Success Regime is currently developing options to help us achieve this and once these are announced, local people will be able to have their say.’

Martin added how important the public had, and continue to be, in regards to the growth of the hospital: ‘We are very proud of the hospital and the staff and how far it has come with developing its services for the benefit of the community.

‘A lot of people gave very generously to the New Hospital Appeal Fund and their gifts helped establish this superb facility.

‘The Friends’ group plays a hugely important role in ensuring that Okehampton Community Hospital has important equipment sorely needed by patients.’

Over the past year, the Friends’ group has helped the hospital by agreeing funding for a dynamic specialist tilt-in-space chair costing more than £2,200 for the Dartmoor Ward and an ultrasound scanner costing £4,000 for the vascular surgical outreach clinic as well as many other items.’

The Friends raise the money through coffee mornings, Flag Days, collecting at Okehampton Show, membership subscriptions, which is 20p per week or a £10 per year.

He appealed to people and patients to help the work by becoming members of the Friends and thereby support the hospital in its vital work.

l The next event organised by the Friends’ group will be a coffee morning at the Old Schools Hatherleigh on July 5.