THERE will be no update on whether beds will be reduced at Holsworthy Community Hospital until after the election — according to the town's mayor.

At a meeting of Holsworthy Town Council last week, mayor John Allen said he had spoken to the chair of the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) and asked why they had 'heard nothing'.

The Post previously reported that proposals to reduce beds at some community hospitals, including Holsworthy Community Hospital, are currently being looked at under the CCG's plans to deliver 'Care Closer to Home'.

Cllr Allen said: "Everything is now being left over until after the election. Nothing is happening until after May 7, when they will have another consultation."

A spokesperson for NEW Devon CCG said: "Since May 2013 we have been talking to communities and stakeholders about the future of community services in North Devon as part of the CCG's Transforming Community Services programme, which in the Northern locality is referred to as Care Closer to Home.

"This has allowed us to gain valuable insight into what people want, as well as listen to their concerns and questions about our proposals.

"This important feedback is being used to inform our future decision about the number of community beds that will be needed across North Devon.

"Once a decision has been made about the number of community beds needed, we will speak to the community again before deciding where these beds will be located.

"Holsworthy is one of the community hospitals in North Devon being considered as part of the consultation.

"Beds are an integral part of community services, and an individual's home, community hospitals and registered nursing homes are all options that will be considered for the location of community beds.

"The relationship between primary care, community teams, social care and the voluntary sector will be critical to the success of the Care Closer to Home model."