A decade of opportunity: Torbay NHS chief on health plan hopes

While still technically on leave, I found myself drawn into the newly published 10 Year Health Plan for England. All 168 pages of it. And I have to say—I came away not just informed, but inspired.

This plan is not just another policy document. It’s a bold, necessary and deeply human vision for the future of our NHS. It acknowledges where we are, but more importantly, it sets out where we need to go. And it does so with clarity, ambition and—crucially—hope.

The Three Big Shifts

At the heart of the plan are three transformative shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. These aren’t just slogans—they’re a blueprint for a health service that is more personal, more proactive, and more present in people’s everyday lives.

For us in Torbay and South Devon, these shifts aren’t new. We’ve been living them for years. A decade ago, we became the first NHS trust in the country to integrate health and social care services. We’ve built neighbourhood teams, invested in digital
innovation, and championed prevention through health coaching and community partnerships.

Why This Matters Now

The plan lands at a time when our health service is under immense pressure. But it also arrives at a moment of great possibility. The digital developments outlined—like the expansion of the NHS App and the rollout of unified patient records—are not just
exciting; they’re essential. They promise to reduce duplication, empower patients, and give clinicians more time to care.
 
And the emphasis on prevention is long overdue. In a region like ours, with high levels of need in rural and coastal communities, we know that keeping people well is just as important as treating them when they’re ill. The plan’s focus on early
intervention, lifestyle support, and community-based care aligns perfectly with our
local priorities.

A Local System Ready to Lead

What gives me the most hope is how well-positioned we are to lead the way. Our digital lab is already developing cutting-edge tools. Our voluntary sector partners are embedded in our care model. And our staff—across acute, community and social
care—are already delivering the kind of joined-up, compassionate care the plan envisions.

We’re also preparing to launch the One Devon Epic electronic patient record next spring, which will transform how we share information and coordinate care across the county.

It’s a game-changer for patients and professionals alike but based on what patients have told us, I think the biggest positive change will be that people won’t have to repeat their story again and again and will be able to access and see their health
information in one place.

Looking Ahead

Of course, delivering on this plan won’t be easy. It will require investment, collaboration, and a relentless focus on what matters most to the people we serve. But I believe we’re up to the challenge.

Demand continues to grow against a backdrop of less money or more money to save - we have to find new ways of working. We will only achieve this by deep and meaningful engagement with our partners, our patients and our staff. We also need to do more learning from others and adopting best practice where it applies to us.

As someone who will increasingly rely on the NHS in the years ahead, I find comfort in the direction we’re heading. And as Chief Executive, I feel proud—and energised—to help in that journey.

This is our moment to shape the future of health and care in Torbay and South Devon. Let’s work together to make it count.

About Joe

Joe Teape became Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust in March 2025. He had previously been Chief Finance Officer for South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust twenty years ago.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, Joe was Chief Operating Officer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. He began his career in local government and joined the NHS in 2001, working in director roles within finance and strategy in acute provider trusts across the south west of England before moving to the NHS in Wales in 2015 as Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Joe, who lives in Devon, is passionate about providing leadership and support for all staff, whatever their profession, and contributing to excellent patient care. Joe is a keen runner and, in his younger days, played cricket in North Devon, Plymouth and latterly for Cullompton visiting many pitches across the county. Joe is married with two children and three grandsons.