THE care contract for the Tavistock area has now officially been awarded to Plymouth Community Healthcare (PCH), it has been announced.

A public meeting held last Tuesday (May 12) at Tavistock Town Hall heard how PCH was delighted to receive the new contract 'Pathways for adults with complex needs' for the area — the Western Locality of NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The services that form the contract include Tavistock Community Hospital, district nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and services such as reablement and early supportive discharge — enabling people a smooth discharge from hospital back to their own home.

The commencement of the contract will be June 1, 2015, and the contract will run until March 31, 2019, with the option of an extension for up to two years.

At the meeting, Steve Waite, PCH chief executive, who has more than 30 years experience as a nurse, said: 'We are delighted to be able to confirm this new arrangement with colleagues who will be transferring from Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust.

'We look forward to working with our new colleagues from June 1 and welcoming them to our organisation.

'We also look forward to forming a long standing and constructive relationship with organisations and individuals within the wider South Hams and West Devon areas.'

He added that all staff would be involved in the design and changing of the PCH title, due to PCH covering a wider area than just Plymouth and covering not just health but also social care.

Mr Waite explained that as a healthcare provider, PCH would offer a different approach to community healthcare, delivering 'exceptional' outcomes for patients and local people and employing approximately 2,500 people.

Mr Waite said: 'Our whole approach is driven by our core values.

'Our ambition extends to delivering value across the western locality, working alongside key partners to share best practice, building on existing models and collaborating to learn, share and improve.'

Services covered in the transfer to West Devon and South Hams include complex care services, community hospitals, community nurses and community therapists.

'I am proud of the significant achievements that all colleagues across PCH have achieved,' added Mr Waite.

'We are an organisation that delivers high quality support and advice and care to people, by people, in a partnership approach.'

He said PCH's vision was to work together with others to help the local population to stay physically and mentally well, to get better when they are ill and to remain as independent as they could until the end of their lives.

• PCH is a community interest company which was formed from NHS Plymouth in 2011.