£50m Torbay Hospital tonic on the cards?

Speculation is mounting that a further major funding boost for Torbay Hospital’s re-building plans is imminent.

It comes ahead of an expected Government statement on the New Hospitals programme later today.

Speaking exclusively to the Torbay Weekly, insiders involved in discussions around the plans indicated it is likely the Bay will see a further £50million signed off by the Government for enabling works to prepare for the major rebuild project.

It is understood construction work is expected to be completed in 2030, with the new hospital buildings scheduled to open in 2031.

At the heart of the plans are believed to be a new build ward block to replace the original hospital buildings which date from the 1920s.

It is understood a new build elective centre for planned treatments and a refurbishment and reconfiguration of the hospital's Emergency Department are also planned.

The £50 million expected government sign off for the enabling works just shows how big the regeneration project is. It is expected to include modular blocks to keep existing services operational during construction of the new buildings and site clearance works.

Planning Permission will also need to be secured from Torbay Council for the hospital rebuild project. Nobody can pre-empt planning decisions but it is understood the new Tory-led administration on Torbay Council are keen to see the massive project delivered with millions of pounds investment and hundreds of jobs at stake.

The eventual cost of the project is expected to be well over £350million, making it the largest single project for South Devon’s NHS since the creation of the NHS in 1948.

Yet it is believed the final funding amount will only be set by the Government once the tendering process for the building work is concluded. This is expected to be after the next General Election, which must be held before the end of January 2025.

Alongside preparation for the major rebuild, other projects to develop new facilities at Torbay Hospital are progressing, with a £15million project to build new operating theatres and a £2.8million investment in a new radiotherapy suite currently under construction.

Responding to the mounting speculation, Torbay’s Conservative MP Kevin Foster, who has championed the hospital rebuild project, told the Torbay Weekly: “This project is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our health service and deliver a landmark scheme for our Bay. I have been pleased to work with the team at the Trust to help push this project along, including raising it with the Prime Minister at Prime Minister’s Questions. Investment in our hospital is much needed and this project is one we must deliver having been a key pledge at the last General Election.”