THE NHS is holding an open day for residents concerned about the recent closure of wards at Okehampton Hospital.

The Okehampton health and care information day takes place at the Ockment Centre on North Street on Friday, October 13 between 10am and 4pm.

As well as health workers from the NHS trust responsible for the hospital, there will be representatives from voluntary and community groups on hand to answer queries.

The hospital’s 16 in-patient beds were closed this summer and the maternity unit will now remain closed into the New Year, with NHS blaming ‘ongoing staff vacancies and long-term sickness absence’ for the decision. More than 40 clinics continue to be run at the hospital.