Local MP Steve Darling Demands Release of Hospital Funds with Hard-Hitting Report

Today (Thursday 9^th January 2025), Torbay’s Lib Dem MP Steve Darling sent an in-depth report on the state of Health and Social Care in Torbay to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP. This report is the latest effort in Steve's campaign to secure £350 million in funding for Torbay Hospital, which was put “under review” by the government last year. 

The 37-page report highlights significant challenges facing Torbay's healthcare system: 

• Financial strain: The Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust faces a £27.0m deficit and a CQC rating downgrade to 'Requires Improvement.'
• Capacity: in early December 2024, bed occupancy at Torbay hospital was at 98%, well above the 85% level aimed by a fit-for-purpose hospital
• Access to care: NHS dental patients and GP appointments have declined, while A&E wait times soar, and social care support requests are often denied.
• Dental and oral health concerns: Torbay has higher than average hospital admissions for tooth decay and oral cancer, and struggles with limited NHS dental care access.
• Social care pressures: The social care system is strained, with a shortage of care workers and difficulties meeting the needs of older and disabled residents, including those with dementia.
• Infrastructure concerns: Torbay Hospital's aging infrastructure requires significant upgrades, with the promised £350 million upgrade still under review. 

Steve has been lobbying the Health Secretary relentlessly through ministerial questions, Early Day Motions, letters, and a Postcard Campaign with hundreds of local residents writing to the minister. 

Steve said: “It is well-known that the Conservatives broke their promise to give Torbay Hospital the repair and upgrade funds it needs. The recent 98% bed occupancy is a canary-in-the-coalmine figure which demonstrates the crisis that the Torbay healthcare system is in. I’ve pulled together this report to really hit home the message to the government that this really cannot wait any longer and they must not repeat the mistakes of their Conservative predecessors.” 

You can access the report here: t3://file?uid=124117