Mel Stride MP held a “very positive” meeting with Health Minister Edward Argar MP on Thursday over the future of Moretonhampstead Hospital. Mr Stride has been liaising with the Department for Health for several months over the future of the cottage hospital after being contacted by Julia Darby, Chief Executive of North East Dartmoor Care, which is based at the hospital. Ms Darby had been concerned that because the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) has moved services out of the property then its future as a local health hub might be in doubt. Mr Stride received assurances from the minister that the hospital will remain as a local health hub with plans for further services to be agreed up amongst key stakeholders. A meeting of local providers to discuss the future of services will take place in early August.
Mr Stride said:
“Moretonhampstead Hospital is a vital community facility and there is complete agreement among local stakeholders, including the GP Surgery and North East Dartmoor Care, that it must be retained as a key part of our local healthcare delivery. It was very reassuring to hear directly from the minister that the future of the hospital looks to be secure and I look forward to continuing to work with local stakeholders to ensure that the best possible range of care continues to be provided locally in Moretonhampstead.”
Photo: Mel at Moretonhampstead Hospital in 2018 meeting with North East Dartmoor Care, who had just moved into the hospital.
