AN invited audience of 100 guests attended Okehampton Rugby Club on Friday to hear a presentation on the new Okehampton Hospital by its patron Noel Edmonds.

The guests, which included West Devon MP John Burnett and Chief Executive of West Devon Borough Council David Incoll, were informed that the Hospital Appeal was now over halfway towards its target of £250,000.

Mr Edmonds gave an update on the types of technology which would be used in the hospital to prevent people having to travel to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for appointments.

Two examples are digital x-ray equipment linked directly to Exeter giving the possibility of immediate consultant opinion, and 'telemedicine' linked to the casualty department for urgent second opinions of patients in casualty at Okehampton.

Dr Paul Neilson, the driving force behind the new hospital, said Okehampton would be at the forefront of this new technology within the NHS.

The doctor has been asked by the health authority to chair a group to ensure the strategy of improvement for new technology involves all providers of health care within the acute sector and the community.

Architect Nigel Grainge presented the final revised design of the hospital with the patient and nurse being at the centre of his vision.

Natural light and ventilation and a pleasant landscaped environment are essential to his view that hospitals should be centres of health as well as being a place to treat the sick.

Dr Neilson has expressed thanks to Carol Barkwell of the Okehampton Hospital Appeals Committee for providing the delicious fork supper.

He said several more pledges were made on the night and the appeal committee was hoping to raise more funds in the following months.

The first turf for the new hospital will be cut on August 1 and it is due to be opened in November 2002.

Chief Executive of West Devon Borough Council David Incoll said the hospital would be an exciting development for the town.

'It offers Okehampton an opportunity to have health services at the cutting edge of new technology,' he said.