'People power' forces U-turn in plans to change treatment for Torbay heart attack victims

A dramatic U-turn from local health service bosses has seen plans for a controversial change in treatment for heart attack victims dropped.

The proposal would have diverted life-saving heart procedures overnight from Torbay Hospital to Exeter, raising serious fears that lives would be lost and provoking a huge backlash across South Devon.

• Collecting thousands of signatures on a public petition opposing the plans
  
  
• Writing directly to government ministers and NHS bosses to challenge the clinical case and demand transparency
  
  
• Meeting with senior NHS officials to make the case for retaining full services at Torbay Hospital
  
  
• Mobilising public support via local media, community events, newsletters, and social media

Mr Darling said: "The campaign’s success reflects the collective voice of Torbay."

He paid tribute to the many individuals and organisations who stepped forward to protect their NHS.

"This win belongs to the people of Torbay. It’s been a truly united front—patients, clinicians, local councillors, community groups, carers, and residents all came together. Whether you signed the petition, wrote to NHS Devon, shared your story, or stood beside me in meetings and rallies—you made this happen.

"I am incredibly proud of our community. Together we’ve shown that we won’t stand by when vital services are at risk.”

NHS Devon has confirmed it will now develop a broader cardiology strategy for the region, to be presented in July, shaped by public input and clinical data.

Mr Darling pledged to continue holding NHS leaders accountable and to keep pushing for a permanent, fully funded cardiac unit at Torbay Hospital.

He said: “We’ve won this battle, but the campaign goes on. We must secure lasting change—and I will keep fighting, alongside our community, every step of the way.”

Caroline Voaden, Lib Dem MP for South Devon said: "I’m thrilled that NHS Devon has listened to cardiologists, patients and elected representatives and have shelved their plans to move emergency coronary services from Torbay to Exeter. 

“Thank you to all of you who’ve contacted me about this and campaigned so hard to highlight to NHS Devon the dangers posed by their ill-thought-out plan. 

“While we await details of NHS Devon’s vision for the whole range of cardiology services across Devon, I am pleased to hear it will be shaped by thorough clinical insight and stakeholder engagement, something that should have shaped the plans from day one.”

Martin Wrigley, Lib Dem MP for Newton Abbot added: "I was so glad to hear that the potentially dangerous plans to move the out of hours PPCI service from Torbay to Exeter have been scrapped. It is a huge win for the patients of South Devon.

"Additionally NHS Devon have confirmed that any future plans will be shaped by existing data, clinical insights and stakeholder involvement.  A fantastic success for all who campaigned on this."