They think it's all over - but not just yet

HEALTH bosses have had second thoughts about switching life-saving heart treatment services from Torbay Hospital to Exeter - but for worried campaigners the fight goes on.
Devon’s Integrated Care Board has announced they are dropping their Cardiology ‘Case for Change’ plans which could have seen serious cardiac care moved more than 20 miles up the motorway.
It comes after a huge public outcry and backlash against the plan to end emergency PPCI treatment for heart attacks at Torbay, led by local MPs, the community and ‘The Heart Campaign.’
But Torbay Heart Campaign chair Susie Colley said: “The Heart Campaign has welcomed recent comments from local MPs and the apparent decision by the Integrated Care Board not to proceed with proposed changes affecting cardiology services at Torbay Hospital. “However, campaign leaders are urging caution, citing ongoing concerns about long-term plans and current workforce pressures.
“While this announcement represents significant progress, the Heart Campaign remains deeply concerned about the wider context of the ICB’s five-year strategy for Devon.
“Despite assurances that there are “no proposals” to move the cardiology department and that consultation will take place, questions remain about the direction of travel over the past nine months.”
She claimed: “Campaign representatives report that clinicians have raised serious concerns, including a lack of recruitment to key posts and the gradual movement of some services to Exeter.
“These developments risk undermining the long-term sustainability of cardiology services at Torbay Hospital by weakening capacity and expertise on site.”
She emphasised: “This is an important and hard-fought victory for our community, but it is not the end of the campaign. We are seeking clarity on what has been happening over the last nine months, and why there are ongoing reports of staff shortages and services shifting away from Torbay.
“If there are truly no plans to move cardiology services, then we need to see that commitment reflected in active recruitment, investment, and transparency.
“Our community depends on timely, local access to life-saving cardiac care. Any erosion of these services—whether through formal decisions or gradual change—would be unacceptable.”

The Heart Campaign is calling on the ICB to:
• Provide full transparency on its
five-year plan for cardiology services in Devon
• Commit to immediate
recruitment to vacant posts at Torbay
• Clarify whether any services
have already been moved or are planned to move to Exeter
• Engage meaningfully with
clinicians, patients, and the public through an open consultation process"

Even though the Cardiac Unit in Torbay is recognised as one of the strongest performing centres in the UK (it has ranked as high as 4th nationally for emergency angioplasty (stent) outcomes), ever since last year’s plans to move key cardiac procedures from Torbay to Exeter, there were fears about what a Case for Change would mean for Torbay.
The additional travel time needed by Torbay residents in case of a critical situation would have greatly decreased chances of survival, if services were moved to Exeter. For this reason, patients, clinicians and ‘The Heart Campaign’ objected to plans to move the Unit as well as local MPs, Steve Darling MP, Martin Wrigley MP and Caroline Voaden MP, who protested against the move.
The ICB will instead be pushing forwards with a broader investigation, which will have an engagement plan attached.
Mr Darling said: ‘This reflects the strengthening of prevention and early intervention work in cardiology across Devon, for which I congratulate everyone who has worked to make this happen.
“However, it also reflects the strength of feeling and support for Torbay’s Cardiology Unit from our community across Torbay and South Devon, whether it’s medics at Torbay Hospital, patients, or the Heart Campaign.
“This is a real battle won, but we have not yet won the war. I remain aware that elsewhere in the country we have seen the stripping away of services from some smaller hospitals. And I remain on high alert to prevent this happening to Torbay Hospital, where staff undertake incredible services for our community of South Devon and Torbay.
”Loss of vital services would be extremely detrimental to our community, and I will be asking the ICB at their Board Meeting next week how they are working towards a more collaborative culture between the Devon hospitals, and about their strategic approach to employment within more deprived areas.’
Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley added: “The proposed changes were misguided from the outset and I am glad they are now scrapped.
“I am pleased to see that the ICB is now engaging with the community to determine local needs and that the new framework for neighbourhoods suggests that some of this could involve our cottage hospitals.’
And South Devon and Brixham MP Caroline Voaden said: “I'm glad that the strength of feeling from constituents, clinicians, patients, MPs and the Heart Campaign, has been heard. This is very good news, and I will continue to work with Steve and Martin to make sure Torbay Hospital gets the support and investment it deserves.’