LOCAL health leaders and the MP for Central Devon have hailed the NHS following its 65th birthday last week.

The National Health Service celebrated its landmark anniversary on July 5. Since launching in 1948, it has continued to develop and in April, groups of GPs and clinicians were given the responsibility of buying most healthcare services.

In Devon, the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, which is made up of member GP practices, was set up, giving clinicians and patients more of a say in local healthcare development to get services right for communities.

Okehampton falls into the eastern locality of the group.

Dr David Jenner, chair of the CCG's eastern locality, said: 'Since the birth of the NHS there have been many significant healthcare developments including chemotherapy treatments for cancer, organ transplants, keyhole surgery and many more.

'While the NHS has been so successful in the past we know that demand on it is increasing as people live longer and have more complex needs so we must look at ways to ensure we meet this challenge.

'We are the largest CGG in the country and we intend to use our size for the maximum benefit of local people.

'We also want to design services that can, wherever possible, be delivered when, where and how people choose.'

The NHS budget for Devon will see a rise from £1.39billion in 2012/13 to £1.42billion in 2013/14.

Mel Stride, Central Devon MP, said: 'Even with our £12.7 billion increase in health spending, without the hard work of local NHS staff, we would not have been able to deliver faster treatments, halve hospital infection rates and virtually eliminate mixed sex wards.

'Our NHS is a national treasure. I'm proud this government is investing more in it.

'We should especially thank all the dedicated people who work locally in our NHS.'