THE MP for West Devon and Torridge has met with Caroline Dawe, deputy chief officer at the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) to seek assurances over the future of out-of-hours healthcare.

During the meeting discussions took place around the closure of treatment centres in Tavistock and Bideford and focused on the NEW Devon CCG’s plans for the integration of the NHS 111 telephone service with the out-of-hours GP service from October 1.

The MP Geoffrey Cox was assured that there would be no decrease in cover following the changes, which have arisen due to problems with the previous 111 service provider. It was also confirmed that there would be no reduction in the budget made available for these services and that the new provider would be closely monitored to ensure effectiveness.

Mr Cox said: ‘Since these new proposals were announced by the CCG there have been many reports of likely paucity of care in West Devon and Torridge resulting from them.

‘It is therefore reassuring to note that the budget is remaining at its current level, along with the standard of care provided, with more people being seen in their own homes under the new plans.

‘It is important to note that the treatment centres were not previously accessible to the public, so patients will continue to access care in the same way and it is hoped that the increased focus on the frontline 111 service will mean that patients are treated as efficiently as possible.

‘I know that many people have also raised concerns over the future of our community hospitals in Tavistock, Bideford and Holsworthy and I have been given reassurance that there are no plans to close these facilities.

‘I will discuss this further when I meet Angela Pedder, chief executive of the Success Regime, and I will also make a strong case for the maintenance of key services at North Devon District Hospital at this meeting.’