?OKEHAMPTON Community Hospital? has been officially chosen as the name of the town?s new hospital following consultation with staff and the public.
Okehampton Community Hospital was the clear favourite in a shortlist of three possible names with more than half of the 48 respondents plumping for that option.
The Okehampton Times published a form in March allowing readers to choose one of three options. Alternative options which were dismissed were Okehampton Hospital and Okehampton Centre for Health.
The final decision on the hospital?s name was settled at a Mid-Devon Primary Care Trust board meeting last Wednesday.
Okehampton GP Paul Nielson said he was pleased the public had chosen the new name: ?I am very happy with the name. It was voted for locally by the public, not imposed upon us by people not from Okehampton.
?I like the fact it is Okehampton Community Hospital, because it refers to all the areas around. We represent ten villages around Okehampton. It makes me feel it has a sense of community.?
Dr Nielson said the main contractors had finished work on site this week, and the keys would soon be handed over to the Mid Devon PCT.
Trust chair Bud Wendover said: ?This is a centre for health where local people will be able to access a far greater range of services than usually expected from a hospital.
?It is excellent and exciting news for the population of Okehampton and the surrounding area,? he added.
The trust board also had to endorse a name for the new medical inpatient ward at the hospital, again from three options.
The ward will be called ?Dartmoor Ward?, after receiving more votes in the public poll than Ockment Ward or Castle Ward.
?Redvers? the existing name of the mental health unit for older people, will transfer to the new hospital.
The board also discussed the strategy for the opening ceremonies to mark the occasion.
The unofficial opening of the hospital is due to take place on May 22. Full occupation of the building is hoped to take place in the last week of May.
The unofficial launch is likely to be an invitation only event, with local school children among those being invited along. A further official opening will be held at a later date.