Fresh government funding boost announced for Torbay Hospital
Torbay Hospital is to receive a further £1.8 million funding boost from the Government to support fire safety improvements in its Tower Block, one of the oldest and most at-risk parts of the hospital's estate.
Torbay Hospital is to receive a further £1.8 million funding boost from the Government to support fire safety improvements in its Tower Block, one of the oldest and most at-risk parts of the hospital's estate.
Torbay Hospital has the third oldest hospital estate in the country, and significant investment is needed to maintain and improve existing buildings while plans for a new hospital progress. The Tower Block has recognised estate and fire safety risks linked to its age, design and condition, which Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust says it continues to manage through maintenance, practical safety measures, staff training, evacuation planning and ongoing investment.
Joe Teape, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the funding boost. He said: "This funding will help us build on the work already underway to manage and reduce fire safety risks in the Tower Block.
"It is a welcome and important step, but further capital investment will be needed to continue the improvement work in the Tower Block.
"Torbay Hospital has one of the oldest hospital estates in the country and significant investment will continue to be needed to maintain and improve our existing buildings while we plan for the future. We will continue working with local, regional and national partners to secure the investment we need. We are grateful to our local MPs, Steve Darling, Martin Wrigley and Caroline Voaden, who continue to champion Torbay Hospital and make the case for that investment."
Torbay Hospital remains part of the national New Hospital Programme, which has been reorganised into a series of delivery waves. Torbay and South Devon is currently included in Wave 2, with a planned construction window between 2032 and 2035.
While planning continues for the future hospital, the trust is continuing to invest in its current estate. Recent investment includes the £14.2 million redevelopment of the Emergency Department and improvements to maternity facilities. Work is also under way to refurbish the day theatres, relocate the Surgical Admission Unit, expand the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department and improve the hospital's electrical infrastructure.