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Annexe to: Proposal to 'transfer' all 10 beds from two community hospitals

Consultation by TSDHCNHST: Proposal to 'transfer' ie close, all 10 beds from each of the two community hospitals – Ashburton & Buckfastleigh, and Bovey Tracey.

David S Halpin MB BS 1964 FRCS

Annexe to submission of 14 February 2013 - 24 February 2013

Some points regarding fault in process and other concerns have been raised in the prior submission.

There remains a need to examine the alleged factual bases for the proposed closure of these beds by the 'Care Trust' from a medical service perspective. It has seemed, at the public meetings, that assertion dominated fact and record.

Proposal to 'transfer' all 10 beds from two community hospitals

Consultation by TSDHCNHST: Proposal to 'transfer' all 10 beds from each of the two community hospitals – Ashburton & Buckfastleigh, and Bovey Tracey.

David S Halpin MB BS 1964 FRCS and Susan J Halpin – Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate SRN 1960

14th February 2013

Relevant experience

Closely involved in the communities of South Devon since DSH was appointed consultant in orthopaedic and trauma surgery in 1975 at Torbay and the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, Exeter. Chairman PC Combe-in-Teignhead at one time. Lead other village activities – formation of recreation field, pavilion etc.

Fostered 12 distressed children from South Devon and two newborn babies – separately! Cared for elderly tenant with chronic airway disease. She died in Wolborough hospital. Nursed mother of SJH with cancer of the pancreas at home. Professional help from GP, DN, Macmillan nurses, and Marie Curie nurses at night. She died peacefully in our home, pain and discomfort being relieved by IV morphine. Mother of DSH, with severe rheumatoid arthritis and a possible tumour, died in a Surrey NH. Grandmother of SJH died in peace in Swanage Cottage Hospital, which is also threatened with closure. An aunt, a nurse, also died there. She had received much good in-patient and out-patient treatment at this hospital over the years including the excision of malignant skin tumours under LA.