Steve Darling: Government must act to save Torbay Hospital

Last week in Parliament, I raised urgent concerns about the condition of Torbay Hospital.

As one of the oldest hospitals in the country, it is heartbreaking to see parts of the building held together by scaffolding and to hear reports of sewage leaks. This is not the standard of care our patients and staff deserve.

Despite repeated calls for action, the government continues to delay the £350 million investment that Torbay Hospital desperately needs. I have formally requested a meeting with the minister and local health leaders to press the case for urgent funding. 

This follows my open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP, which I have been gathering signatures for over the past few weeks. The letter invites him to visit Torbay Hospital in person, to witness the conditions firsthand and understand why the investment must be brought forward to protect acute services. If you would like to add your name, please visit:https://www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/campaigns/sign-steves-open-letter-to-the-health-secretary

In other troubling news, the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust has announced it will be ceasing operations. This is a huge blow to our local environment and to the dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to care for Torbay’s natural spaces. It is especially distressing that they are losing their jobs just as we approach the festive season.

As the Trust winds down, its assets—including land and buildings previously transferred from the council—will return to council ownership. These public assets must not be sold off to the highest bidder. There must be a proper public conversation about their future and how they can continue to serve our community.

While it is welcome that the council will take on many of the Trust’s responsibilities, I am concerned about whether it has the capacity to do so. We must also ask what other services or opportunities may be sidelined as the council redirects its efforts to manage the fallout.

Another local treasure under threat is the Old Monastery on Berry Drive in Paignton. The local authority is looking to sell off this historic building, which has served our town for generations. It deserves to remain at the heart of our community.

I recently attended a packed meeting at Paignton Methodist Hall where residents spoke passionately about the future of the Monastery and the need for a dedicated community space in Clifton with Maidenway. The message was clear: people want to protect this site and strengthen local identity. Selling it off would be a huge loss. That is why I am backing efforts to have the Monastery listed as an Asset of Community Value, so we can secure it for public use and future generations.

On a brighter note, “This is My Circus” brought Torquay town centre alive with creativity, community, and collaboration. From live music and murals to pop-up shops and circus-inspired fun, the festival transformed Union Street, Fleet Walk, and the Strand into vibrant spaces for young people.

I had the pleasure of visiting some of the venues and meeting with Rachael Kiddy from Torbay Council, who shared the incredible work being done to bring people together through initiatives like this. It was inspiring to see how the festival created a safe and welcoming environment for young people to express themselves, connect with others, and take pride in their town centre.

A special mention must go to the local schools, artists, and volunteers whose creativity and passion made the event so special. Pupils from Combe Pafford and Cockington Primary Schools shared their talents through handmade mosaics, art installations, and thoughtful proposals for improving the area. Their contributions show the value of youth voice in shaping our shared spaces.

As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your views, please get in touch. You can reach me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or on 07908 349347. For regular updates, sign up to my weekly e-newsletter atwww.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.