Does Torbay Hospital need Emergency Care?

Warnings that Torbay Hospital’s future is under threat will be in the spotlight on Monday at a public meeting organised by The Heart Campaign and its redoubtable leader Susie Colley.

The Pulse has recently covered the concerns around the survival of the hospital’s highly regarded heart unit (see article here). But Mrs Colley, a governor of Torbay Hospital – the South Hams’
only major hospital – is now turning her fire on wider fears that services will be taken away.

You are responsible for public information and engagement.

Here she outlines in stark terms what she wants answers to:

We are now seeing a clear and troubling pattern: incremental staffing reductions, rising pressure on frontline teams, and a steady erosion of confidence within the hospital.
At the same time, the long-promised clarity on the so-called “case for change” has not materialised. Instead, it appears to have been quietly folded into a five-year plan, without transparency, without direct answers, and without public accountability.

But the situation has now escalated further.

There are credible and consistent reports from staff that individuals are being discouraged from applying for posts, amid suggestions that services or departments may ultimately be moved to Exeter.
If this is not true, it must be publicly and unequivocally corrected.
If it is true, then the public has been fundamentally misled. Either way, silence is no longer acceptable.

Let’s be clear about what remains unanswered:

• Has the threat to Torbay’s cardiac services actually been withdrawn—or simply deferred?
• Is there any real commitment to maintaining emergency cardiac care locally in the long term?
• Are staffing decisions now being influenced by anticipated service reconfiguration that has not been disclosed?
• Why has there been no transparent explanation of what has driven these decisions?

Right now, the effect is unmistakable:

• Staff are demoralised and uncertain about their future
• Recruitment is being undermined at precisely the moment stability is needed
• Patients are left questioning whether key services will still be there when they need them

This is not responsible system leadership.
It is the consequence of prolonged ambiguity, partial disclosure, and apparent avoidance. A hospital cannot function on rumours. A workforce cannot be sustained on uncertainty. A community cannot be expected to trust what it is not being told.

You have a responsibility to provide clear, direct answers:
Are services being moved away from Torbay—yes or no? Are staffing decisions being shaped by plans that have not been shared publicly? What is the actual, evidenced future for cardiac and other acute services at Torbay Hospital? If there has been a change in direction, explain it. If decisions are still being formed, be honest about that. If assurances can be given, give them clearly and publicly. Because what is happening now is not neutral—it is actively destabilising a hospital and damaging public trust. Torbay deserves clarity. Staff deserve honesty. Patients deserve certainty.
The time for vague reassurances has passed. We need answers—now.

The public meeting at Torquay’s Grand Hotel on Monday (5.00pm) was due to be addressed by a representative from the Integrated Care Board, whose One Plan for Devon sets out the future direction of health services. But the person from the ICB is no longer coming. The reason given is that because of forthcoming local elections in May, NHS guidance prohibits participation in political debates.

A spokesman said: “While the meeting is taking place in Torbay, where elections are not being held, the One Plan for Devon relates to services across the wider Devon system, including areas where local elections are underway and as a local organisation, we are already in a pre-election period. Given the likely high level of public interest and the potential for wider media coverage across Devon, our attendance could present a risk of influencing, or being perceived to influence, during the pre-election period.”

Campaigners are not amused. Dr Phil Keeling, an award winning cardiologist now retired from Torbay Hospital, fired back: “This is NOT a political event. You, the ICB published the Devon 5y plan 3w ago without any explanation of an action plan or information about public engagement. This meeting was planned to allow the ICB to explain this document and your vision for healthcare in Devon, and for Cardiology specifically given HC interest. How does a public consultation infringe on the electoral environment you describe? You are responsible for public information and engagement. Please reconsider and do your job.”

The Pulse asked for a response from the ICB about the concerns around Torbay Hospital’s future and received this statement:
“We are committed to improving health and care services across Devon so local people can live happier, longer and healthier lives. We recognise that some people are worried about the future of local hospitals and services. Our published One Plan for Devon sets out how health and care services will need to evolve over the next five years to respond to growing demand, workforce pressures and the needs of an ageing population. Our local hospitals play a vital role in our communities and will continue to do so.”

The statement continues: “Our ambition is for people in Devon to experience care that is easier to access, high-quality, more joined up, and delivered closer to home, with shorter waits, better outcomes and a more sustainable NHS for the future. If any changes to services are proposed in the future, they would be clinically led, based on evidence, and developed with public involvement, giving local people the opportunity to have their say before decisions are made. “We remain fully committed to public engagement. In line with national NHS preelection guidance, we are limited in attending public meetings at this time; however, we will be engaging openly with local communities over the summer.”

“Together, we want to build a sustainable NHS that continues to provide high-quality care for our communities now and in the future.”

Susie expects a full house for the public meeting.