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• LATEST NEWS: Second judge rules Axminster hospital beds can be moved to Seaton

Tuesday 20th January 2014, 4:55pm

Body found on Sidmouth seafront

INVESTIGATIONS have begun into the unexplained death of a man whose body was discovered on the Sidmouth seafront this morning (Tuesday).

The man was found by a passer-by at around 8am inside the Port Royal shelter on the Esplanade, and was pronounced dead by ambulance crew who arrived on the scene shortly after.

Police were also called to the Esplanade where they liaised with ambulance personnel to investigate the incident. 

Neither service was able to confirm any details about the cause of death or injuries suffered by the man, but police say they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A file will be prepared for the coroner.

Last updated: Wednesday 14th January 2015, 10:35am

Second judge says hospital beds CAN move

SHORTLIVED VICTORY FOR CAMPAIGNERS

by ANDERS LARSSON

AXMINSTER Hospital campaigners' victory in halting a temporary move of in-patient beds to Seaton Hospital was short-lived.

After more legal wrangling, a High Court judge's decision to stall the move until February 18th at the very least has been ripped up by another judge.

The exact circumstances are yet to be revealed but both Axminster Hospital Action Group and Northern Devon NHS Healthcare trust (NDHT) have confirmed they have been informed by the court.  

A spokesperson for NDHT said: “We can confirm that the order we received on Monday preventing the temporary transfer of in-patient services from Axminster to Seaton was overturned on Tuesday, pending a court hearing at a later date.

“The temporary transfer will continue today as planned and we expect to provide a further update this afternoon.”

Dr James Vann of Axminster Hospital Action Group said the group will comment when it knows more.

The action group fought hard to prevent the temporary transfer of beds, but seemed to have lost the battle on Wednesday January 7th when NDHT made its decision.

The whole process had been challenged through the judicial review route by the action group, though, and a High Court judge issued a ruling on Monday, January 12th which blocked the move until a hearing on February 18th at the very least.

A judicial review is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body. The temporary transfer of beds is caused by staffing levels and associated safety issues, and is separate to NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group's proposal to permanently move the beds.

NDHT has accepted a £300,000 offer from Axminster Hospital League of Friends to urgently explore ways to maintain the in-patient beds at Axminster by recruiting more staff, but insists the 10 beds must be transferred in the interim.

Selected photos from 2013/14 are available to purchase online here

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