South Devon MPs write to Wes Streeting with concerns about the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme at Torbay Hospital

As of midday today, Torbay Hospital has launched a time-limited voluntary redundancy scheme (for all staff both clinical and non-clinical), which will be open until the 10th May. 

South Devon MPs Steve Darling, Martin Wrigley and Caroline Voaden have expressed serious concerns over the redundancy scheme. In a letter to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting, they have pointed out that in the last General Election people voted for investment in the NHS and 

the Government promised this investment; however, the signs are concerning, with Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust already moving some histopathology services away from Torbay, and dissolving the Integrated Care Partnership with Torbay Council.

In the letter all three MPs made it clear that the Government’s 10 year health plan for the NHS includes ‘supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals,’ and that the Hospital clearly requires financial assistance to make sure it aligns with this plan and does not put pressure on outstanding Torbay Hospital staff to leave their jobs and therefore massively impact the quality of care that those in Torbay and South Devon receive. 

The MPs have asked the Government for clarification on how they are working with Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust around these proposals, and how they are financially supporting the Trust to prevent extreme cuts being necessary. 

Steve Darling MP said: “People in South Devon voted for investments in our NHS and yet now we are seeing cuts to our services. This Government has created significant pain through tax increases and yet this has resulted in no real and tangible benefits for our NHS. 

Torbay Hospital is clearly suffering under an immense financial burden as just recently there were additional voluntary redundancies. I am urging the Government to address this immediately. It is so important that we maintain Torbay as a functional General Hospital for the communities it serves in Torbay and South Devon, and I will not stop fighting for this.”

Martin Wrigley MP: "The announcement of this redundancy scheme is deeply concerning and signals a worrying direction for healthcare in our area. Our staff are the backbone of the NHS, and I am particularly anxious about the additional strain this will place on a workforce that is already stretched thin. 

While we understand the financial pressures the Trust is facing, we cannot allow those challenges to undermine the long-term stability of our local services. I am calling on the Government to provide the necessary support to ensure that Torbay Hospital remains a fully functional, well-staffed facility for all of South Devon."

Caroline Voaden MP: “Labour came into office under a mantra of change, but when it comes to health services in South Devon, all they’ve delivered is more of the same. Whether it’s delays to desperately needed repairs to Torbay Hospital or dangerously long wait times, Labour has failed to pull the NHS out of its permacrisis. 

Today's announcement about voluntary redundancies is deeply concerning, leading to yet more pressure on hardworking professionals who see their teams diminishing. The immense financial strain Torbay and South Devon Foundation Trust – and other trusts – are under is unsustainable and the government must step up to deliver a health service which both staff and patients deserve.”