Anxious questions posed during open meeting.

CONCERNED residents packed into an open meeting of Honiton Senior Council this week - to find out how changes to the NHS could affect them.

Local councillor Alf Boom gave a “well-informed and researched” talk on the possible changes, Tony Simpson, the council’s secretary, later reported.

“People were stunned with what he had to say,” said Mr Simpson.

“They were very concerned about the possible changes and posed anxious questions about the future of the NHS, particularly the issue of privatisation and contract culture.”

Mr Boom told The Midweek Herald: “This Bill is being proposed in a 463 page document.

“As Sir David Nicholson, head of the NHS commissioning board, has said, it is big enough to be seen from outer space.

“To spend �1.8 billion to bring about these changes makes it essential for ordinary people to question just what is happening to the NHS in our name.”