Cardiology 'Case for Change' Scrapped
Today, Devon Health Bosses at the Integrated Care Board (ICB) have announced that they are dropping their Cardiology ‘Case for Change.’ This comes after a popular outcry against the plan to move the Cardiology Unit from Torbay Hospital to The Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in Exeter, led by local MPs and ‘The Heart Campaign.’
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.
Steve Darling MP 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.’
Martin Wrigley MP: ‘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.’
Caroline Voaden MP: ‘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.’