Plans to transform Budleigh Salterton Hospital into health and wellbeing hub get the green light
FINAL plans to transform Budleigh Salterton Hospital into a health and wellbeing hub for the local community have been given the go-ahead.
The board of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages the hospital, approved the full business case for the development at its meeting on Tuesday 24 March.
The hub will bring together health, social care and voluntary sector services in a centre of support and advice for people of all ages.
The League of Friends of Budleigh Salterton Hospital has agreed to commit £400,000 towards the £800,000 project, with the Trust contributing the remainder.
The Trust and the League of Friends have been working closely with the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local stakeholders to develop the project.
Building work is due to start in early May and is expected to be completed in September.
Roger French, Trust chairman, said: “The board was unanimous in its support for the development of a health and wellbeing hub in Budleigh Salterton and we now can’t wait to turn this dream into a reality.
“The hospital is a much-cherished facility in Budleigh Salterton and its development into a hub offers a new, exciting model of care that will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the local community for many years to come.
“We expect the hub to become a focal point for the community which is vibrant, well used and extremely valuable for local people of all ages, offering a range of NHS, mental health and other services.
“I would like to thank the League of Friends for their incredible support, without which this would not have been possible.
“We are proud to be leading this very exciting development and look forward to working with our partners to bring the project to fruition over the coming months.”
Dr Richard Mejzner, a GP at Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre and a member of the CCG’s Eastern locality board, has been instrumental in developing the vision with the local community over the past three years.
He said: “I am delighted with the news that the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has approved the final business case for development of a hub at Budleigh Salterton Hospital and wish to thank them for their work on this project.
“I also want to acknowledge the unfailing support of the League of Friends who, without this, it would not have been possible to realise this exciting and innovative vision.
“I would like to encourage anyone who wishes to support the League of Friends and the development of this project to do so by contacting the hospital and joining them.”
Dr David Evans, chairman of the League of Friends, thanked the Trust for giving the green light to the development, all partners for their ongoing support and Dr Mejzner for his “vision and initiative” in progressing the project.
Dr Evans said: “The provision of a health and wellbeing hub in Budleigh Salterton Hospital represents a modern and innovative approach for care in the community.
“Once implemented, it will set a gold standard for other small community hospitals to follow, both in Devon and the South West.
“Very importantly, a hub offering a mix of clinical and social services follows precisely the concepts of Simon Stevens, the chief executive officer of NHS England, and the policies of the health and wellbeing board of Devon County Council.
“The League of Friends committee feels that a health and wellbeing hub, adapted for the provision of local needs, is in the very best interests of the community of Budleigh Salterton and its hospital.”
To find out more about the project and the services planned for the hospital, call hub development manager Rob Jones on 01395 441318 or visit http://budleighhospitalhub.org.
