Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has given his reaction to a CQC Report published today (Friday 3rd November 2023) which rates Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust as: “requires improvement”.
Whilst Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust as a whole has been rated as “requires improvement”, yet it retained an “outstanding” rating for caring.
The CQC report highlights Torbay Hospital as having some of the oldest NHS operational buildings in the country, which constrains the ability to address concerns about the physical environment at Torbay Hospital and to expand capacity.
The Government has already included Torbay Hospital in its new hospital programme which will deliver modern, fit for purpose environments in which to deliver high quality, safe healthcare. At the heart of the new hospital programme plan for Torbay Hospital is a new build ward block to replace the original Hospital buildings which date from the 1920s and which are highlighted in the CQC report.
A new build elective centre for planned treatments and a complete refurbishment and reconfiguration of the Emergency Department are also planned. The eventual cost of the project is expected to be more than £350m, making it the largest single project for South Devon’s NHS since the creation of the NHS back in 1948.
The Government has already released £50m of funding for enabling works to prepare the Torbay Hospital site for the major rebuilding work scheduled to start in 2027/28 and expected to finish in 2030, with the new hospital buildings due to open in 2031.
In a statement Kevin Foster MP said:
“It is vital our local hospital can provide the services our community needs. I will therefore be meeting with the Hospital’s management team to discuss their plans to respond to the concerns raised by the CQC and the support I can offer as Torbay’s MP in doing so.”
“The comments about the age of some buildings at Torbay Hospital are a reminder why the new Hospital Programme is so vital. I have been pleased to work with the team at the trust to champion this project and to secure the largest single programme of investment from the Government for South Devon’s NHS since its foundation in 1948.”
“Whilst the report contains several concerns, it is encouraging to read the inspector’s comments about how hospital staff treated people with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs.”
Alongside preparation for the major rebuild, other projects to develop new facilities at Torbay Hospital are progressing, with a £15m project to build new Operating
Theatres and a £2.8m investment in a new Radiotherapy Suite recently completed. These follow the opening of Torbay Hospital’s new £15.7m Acute Medical Unit in December 2022.
You can read the full CQC Report by following this link: https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RA9
