Dear Sir Mel,

My name is [Your Name] and I live in [Town/Postcode]. I am writing to ask for your continued support in preventing the sale of Moretonhampstead Hospital and securing its future for community use.

The hospital represents a significant opportunity for the community. Despite being originally gifted to the NHS, I am deeply concerned that it may now be sold by the NHS with no return of value to the people of Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor and the wider Central Devon. There is strong local support and a case being developed for retaining the building and repurposing it as a community health and wellbeing hub.

As you’ll know, people in Moretonhampstead and the surrounding area face real challenges in accessing healthcare. As a rural area, there are issues around deprivation and limited bus transport, which has recently been reduced further, making travel to Exeter and other locations for healthcare difficult. For many residents, particularly older people and those on lower incomes, accessing care outside the town is too expensive and challenging. 

For example, I [insert own experience in challenges in accessing care if applicable]

Without local provision, people are more likely to delay or miss treatment, leading to worsening conditions and increased pressure on the NHS and emergency services. Delivering care locally would support earlier intervention, improve outcomes, and reduce strain on the wider system. It also aligns strongly with current government and NHS priorities as set out in the Ten Year Plan, including delivering more care closer to home, strengthening preventative services, and addressing rural health inequalities. While the building may have a relatively modest sale value, the long-term health and social benefits of retaining it for community use are significant.

As your constituent, I would welcome your help to:

• Prevent the NHS sale of Moretonhampstead hospital 

• Support the return of the Moretonhampstead hospital to the community for a nominal sum

• Support a community-led approach to develop a health and wellbeing hub that delivers long-term public value

• Meet with local stakeholders to discuss this further

I’d like you also to take up the case by writing to Mark Hackett, Interim Chief Executive, NHS Devon; Martin Steele, Chief Executive, NHS Property Services and Karin Smyth MP, Minister of State for Health (with responsibility for NHS estates and land) to ask them to support these actions.

A petition calling for the hospital to be returned to the people of Moretonhampstead has already gathered strong support: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-sale-of-moretonhampstead-hospital-return-it-to-the-people-of-moreton

Thank you for your time and for representing our community.

Yours sincerely

[Your Name]

[Your Postcode]