A GROUP that supports Kingsbridge hospital is urging people in the area to speak up and tell the NHS how they would like to see healthcare services in the future – before it is too late. South Hams Hospital League of Friends is concerned that, without sufficient input from the public, changes may be made to services that people do not want. The local clinical commissioning group is asking patients to let them know what they want in future healthcare before Tuesday, July 8, by responding to a recently published strategy document. A spokesman for Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said: 'We have just put this strategy out for consultation, with the deadline for feedback of July 8. 'However, this is just part of an ongoing process of engagement and consultation which has been going on for months. 'The next step will be to consult on the implementation of different elements of the strategy.' Daphne Jefferson, chair of the Kingsbridge hospital's league of friends, said: 'This is the chance that the public have to say what they want and don't want. 'If this is missed, it may be too late.' CCGs have been set up by the government to control how the budget in each area is spent. They are groups of GP practices that work together to plan and design local health services in England by commissioning health and care services. In a statement, South Hams Hospital League of Friends said: 'In the strategy produced by the CCG, which covers the period to 2019, there is a great emphasis being placed on people being looked after at home, rather than in hospital. It is certainly not made clear how this would work. 'A meeting held in Kingsbridge in November was poorly attended, with only 12 members of the public. We believe that was because the public did not see a threat to the beds in South Hams hospital. 'Our CCG states in their current leaflet that they have listened and the message they have received from the public is that the people actually want to be looked after in their own home rather than in hospital. 'That may be preferable if you have a capable partner, but very frightening if you are elderly and alone, waiting for a nurse or carer to visit for a brief time in the day.' The league of friends add: 'We feel that the questions asked by the CCG in their strategy document may not directly address issues of concern to local residents. 'Some additional questions we would like people to consider are: How much do you value Kingsbridge hospital's inpatient beds, the 39 different outpatient clinics they run, and the Minor Injuries Unit, which is open seven days a week from 9 am to 5pm? 'Would you be happy to stay at home if you were ill and lived alone? Are you happy with the out of hours service currently provided? 'The CCG have a duty to listen to what the public want, but our concern is that they have not heard from enough people in our area. 'If you care about future health services and want your opinion to count, then please make your views known.' To tell the CCG what you want from local health services in the future, email [email protected]">[email protected], phone Sally Parker on 01752 398737, or write to: NHS New Devon CCG, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD. The CCG's strategy document can be viewed on their website at https://www">https://www. newdevonccg.nhs.uk//involve/community-services/101039.