NHS Devon has issued a statement to explain why it could not send a representative to a public meeting in Honiton, organised by the town council.

NHS Devon has issued a statement to explain why it could not send a representative to a public meeting in Honiton, organised by the town council.

The meeting was arranged to discuss changes to maternity services at Honiton Community Hospital.

The statement said: "Guidance for NHS organisations in the run-up to the General Election is quite specific about NHS involvement at public meetings: 'Public meetings that have been arranged as part of consultation exercises should be deferred, where possible, until after the election if they are likely to be politically controversial.'

"For this reason, NHS Devon deferred attendance at the meeting on, Friday, April 16, but we are fully committed to arranging and participating in meetings after May 6.

"The proposal's aim is to expand the choices over where women can give birth and we have every intention of talking to parents and parents-to-be, and listening to their opinions, in May.

"These discussions will help shape the more detailed plans for implementation by the end of September 2010.

"Accurate information about the proposals is available on NHS Devon website, at www.devonpct.nhs.uk Anyone wishing to be kept informed about the meetings planned in May can contact us on d-pc.strategicreview@nhs.net