Campaign stepped up to save Torbay Hospital cardiac unit

More than 400 Torbay residents attended a packed public meeting to support a campaign to save heart treatment services at Torbay Hospital.

Pressure and anger is mounting over fears the Acute Cardiology Unit at Torbay will be axed.

The latest public meeting, held at The Livermead House Hotel in Torquay, heard from Susie Colley, chairman of the Torquay Chamber of Trade and Torbay MP Steve Darling, who are among those leading a local Heart Campaign as well as Torbay Hospital Public Governor John Kiddey.

The campaign was launched after fears for the future of the unit - with patients being taken more than 20 miles to Exeter for treatment instead - was first raised. A decision by health bosses has been delayed but campaigners fear it is still being planned.

Mrs Colley made it clear at the start of the latest meeting that this was an apolitical campaign on behalf of all South Devon residents. The meeting was attended by several local councillors from different parties.

Mrs Colley, who worked for many years as a nurse which included some time in the cardio thoracic theatres at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, claimed: "It has become obvious to all that the NHS/Integrated Care Board is hell bent on closing this.

"They first started rattling their sabres several months ago and Steve Darling asked a question in the House of Commons. Then we started researching and found the proposals for something called ‘The Case for Change’.  It is clearly a template for London hospitals.

"Torbay Hospital cardiology dept is the 4th best in the country for coronary perfusion and the standard of cardiologists and support staff are as good (possibly better than some) in London.

"If a patient is suffering from angina and is brought in by ambulance into the cardiology department they are seen immediately as the longer the myocardium is deprived of oxygenated blood the less likelihood is of survival.

"If patients have to go to Exeter they will be dead by the time they get to Telegraph Hill. I do not know who put the ‘Case for Change’ together for Torbay, but they clearly have not considered the demographics of the age range and the vast increase in numbers in the summer and the geography of the area.

|"It is estimated that there are an additional 100,000 people to consider in the summer months."

She added: "We have just learnt from the doctors at the meeting that the senior clinicians have put forward a counter proposal of how the cardiology units in Devon could be run effectively, but the Trust’s Public Governors, of whom there were at least three at the meeting have no knowledge of this proposal as despite it being sent to the  CEO  they were unaware of the document. Exeter is not local to Torbay and in my opinion, it means a death sentence."

She said the next meeting was very important and is on Wednesday, August 6 at 2pm at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.

She said at the meeting, which is open to the public, the NHS Integrated Care Board will present their plans to Torbay Council’s Scrutiny Committee. This follows a closed meeting on July 31 where the case for change is presented to the ICB Board, which can be watched online.

MP Mr Darling said: "As the MP for Torbay this issue has been a top priority for me and my team since it has emerged. We have had two threats so far that we have managed to see off regarding our coronary care services in Torbay.

"Thanks to our incredible medics, we have an outstanding service at Torbay Hospital. It is perverse that this could be broken to fix an underperforming service in Exeter. It is frustrating that health bosses haven’t got the full information together ready for their meeting on August 31 and I plan to attend to put some challenges to them at this meeting.

"When the full information regarding the case for change in respect to coronary care across Devon emerges later this summer, we will have our guard up to protect services in Torbay and ensure the best support and treatment for patients across South Devon. I want to personally thank everyone that got behind the campaign to save this vital service.”

Former MP, Kevin Foster added: "The growing threat to our local heart services and the future of Torbay Hospital cannot be ignored and its vital we all campaign to protect them. It's clear that if Torbay's heart services go, it could be the start of a major downgrade of our hospital in favour of investment in Plymouth and Exeter instead."

Leading campaigner Sally Allen said: "There has been no public consultation which is in direct conflict with the NHS Act 2007. The ICB are intent on applying a metropolitan approach to rural Devon which clearly cannot work and will result in the legalised culling of our community.

"Devon is not London with numerous Acute Hospitals about three miles apart and where it makes sense to merge departments. The chance to live after suffering any cardiac symptom will become a postcode lottery.

"Last night it became clear that Royal Devon and Exeter hospital had been promised £20million for a new Acute unit, if Torbay was closed.

"It is seriously unlikely that many will survive the ambulance trip to Exeter or Plymouth hospitals from Dawlish, Dartmouth, Brixham, Paignton, Torquay or anywhere in between."

Residents shared first-hand stories about how the cardiac unit had helped them or their families. There were also several members of staff from the cardiology department present.

Head Cardiac Consultant Usman Sheik answered questions from the floor and confirmed that the unit already helps patients from both North Devon and Exeter on a regular basis.

It also has the highest service rates in the Southwest, with a typical acute patient with a non-critical heart attack being treated within a maximum of 72 hours from admission, compared to up to two years at Exeter.

John Kiddey said: ‘One way to have your say about the hospital is to join the Torbay Hospital Trust membership. It’s free and members elect people, like me to speak on their behalf. Full details are on the hospital website and we need more members to be effective."

Residents can learn more about the campaign, including about the meeting on August 6 by joining the Facebook Page ‘The Heart Campaign’.