Good evening Mr Teape

I am writing to formally challenge the current lack of clarity regarding the funding position for the cardiac catheter laboratory refurbishment.

In the email dated the 17th October 2025, you stated that a provisional sum had been earmarked within the Trust's draft capital programme and that approval was expected in January. We are now well beyond that point, yet no definitive confirmation has been provided.

Furthermore, in an email from the Acting CEO Ms Ryan-Davies confirming "that NHS Devon is not aware of a request received from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to approve funding to refurbish two cath labs". This directly contradicts the implication that external approval or funding was required.

I therefore require a clear and unequivocal response to the following:

1. Has the Trust's capital programme been formally approved, and if so, on what date?
2. Is funding for the cardiac catheter laboratory refurbishment approved within that programme?
3. If funding is not approved, please explain precisely why, and confirm whether any request has been made to the ICB.
4. If no request has been made, please explain the rationale for that decision.
5. If funding is approved, what is the confirmed allocation and delivery timetable?

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

Hi Steven

Sorry to bother you again but would it be possible for you to get back to me re the answers from LRD before our next meeting on Monday 26th.

As discussed on the 12th January we are seeking urgent clarification regarding the funding position for the cardiac catheter laboratory refurbishment at Torbay Hospital.

I understood from Mr Teape in October 2025 that the ICB may be involved in funding the refurbishment. However, I have now been advised that the ICB is not aware of any capital funding request from the Trust in relation to this scheme. This sits in direct contrast to the position communicated by the Trust.

I should also make you aware that a major public demonstration is now being planned as part of a campaign to obtain clear answers from the ICB and the Trust. The purpose of this campaign is not to generate conflict, but to bring common sense and transparency to the table.

Before matters escalate further, I am requesting a clear and definitive response from the ICB addressing the following:

1. Has the ICB received any formal or informal request from Torbay Hospital NHS Trust for capital funding for the cardiac catheter laboratory refurbishment?
2. If no request has been received, does the ICB consider that the Trust has the ability to fund this scheme from its own approved capital resources?
3. If a request is required, what specific information is outstanding and what steps are necessary to enable a decision to be made?
4. What action is the ICB now taking to resolve the conflicting positions being communicated publicly?

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

Good evening Mr Teape

Thank you for your response confirming that teams are updating the business case in relation to capital funding for the cardiac catheter laboratories.

While we appreciate that this work is ongoing, I am writing to express serious concern about the impact that continued uncertainty is having on staff morale and retention within the cardiology service.

There is a growing and very real risk that prolonged delay, without clear timescales or reassurance about the Trust's commitment to maintaining cardiology services at Torbay, will result in the loss of experienced cardiologists and specialist staff. Once lost, this expertise will be extremely difficult to replace and would, in effect, predetermine the outcome of any future decision-making.

In other words, if clinicians leave due to uncertainty and deteriorating morale, the ICB may "win" by default, not through a considered, evidence-based process, but through attrition.

May I ask: when the updated business case is expected to be completed and reviewed; whether interim assurances can be given to cardiology staff regarding the Trust's intention to retain and support the service at Torbay; and what steps are being taken now to stabilise morale and prevent the loss of key clinical personnel.

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

Dear Mr Teape,

I am writing on behalf of the Heart Campaign to follow up on an issue that is central to the future of cardiology services at Torbay Hospital.

We have not yet received an update on whether the Trust has secured, or identified, the necessary capital funding to refurbish the cardiac catheter laboratories. The condition and viability of the cath labs are clearly integral to the continuation of local cardiology services and to maintaining safe, effective patient care.

We would welcome clarity on whether funding for cath lab refurbishment has been identified within the Trust or wider system, and if not, whether alternative options are being actively explored.

The Heart Campaign is keen to work constructively with the Trust. If the primary barrier to refurbishment is access to capital funding, we would be willing to explore whether the campaign could play a role in supporting or contributing to fundraising efforts.

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

To: Joe Teape (Trust CEO), Libby Ryan-Davies (ICB Deputy CEO)
CC: Martin Wrigley MP
Importance: High

Good Afternoon

Thank you for confirming the intention to proceed with refurbishment of the cath labs. I need to formally flag that the current condition of the cath labs represents an immediate and escalating clinical risk.

While the cath labs can be refurbished independently, the air-conditioning system is shared across the Hetherington block. A safe and sustainable solution requires a single, coordinated HVAC refurbishment to support both cath labs.

Senior cardiologists advise that failure of the existing HVAC system is a realistic near-term risk. If this occurs, there is a credible risk of sudden loss of cath lab capacity, rather than a controlled or phased degradation.

Clarity is urgently required on: interim mitigation should the shared HVAC system fail; whether the Hetherington block HVAC works can be prioritised or fast-tracked; confirmation of approved capital funding, scope, and senior responsible ownership; and how this risk is being formally recorded and reviewed through executive and Board governance.

Lastly, if the cath labs fail then neither Torbay nor RDE patients could be treated and hence the Trust could lose significant income (currently over £600k).

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

To: Joe Teape (Trust CEO), Libby Ryan-Davies (ICB Deputy CEO), J. Govett
Subject: Urgent: Cath Lab Replacement - Funding Position, Timeline and System Risk
Deadline: 16 February 2026 (7 working days)

Good evening Mr Teape, Ms Ryan-Davies, Mr J. Govett.

Further to my email of 29 January and my discussion with Mr Teape yesterday, the 4th Feb, I am writing in my capacity as Chair of the Heart Campaign and on behalf of the Torbay business community through the Chamber of Commerce.

The purpose of this email is to request clarity on the replacement of the Torbay Hospital cardiac catheter laboratories, specifically whether a funded replacement programme is in place, the timescale for delivery, and the level of clinical and system risk should the current labs fail.

Could you please provide the following in writing within 7 working days (16th February):

A) Replacement plan and timeline: confirmation of the Trust's intended plan (one lab or both), the current timeline and key milestones, and any contingency plan should one lab fail before replacement is completed.

B) Capital requirement: the total estimated capital cost (headline figure), and whether this includes enabling works, installation, commissioning and associated estates works.

C) Funding position: the amount of funding already secured, the current funding gap, and whether this scheme is in the ICB capital programme or submitted for national capital funding.

Once we have the confirmed position and the headline figures, we can consider what support the local community and business sector may be able to offer in unlocking the appropriate funding routes.

regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign

From: Joe Teape (Chief Executive)
Date: 16 February 2026

Funding Confirmed:

• Programme funded through Trust core capital programme for 2026/27 and 2027/28
• Total cost: approximately £5.7m (includes new air handling, installation, commissioning, estates works)
• Budget context: £14.3m total capital for entire organisation, cath labs represent 40% of Trust's capital budget
• National funding bid FAILED: Estates Safety Fund 2026-2031 bid unsuccessful "due to high demand"
• Other priorities competing for capital: cancer aseptic pharmacy, LINACs (radiotherapy), diagnostic equipment

Timeline: design phase starting shortly (minimum 6 months legally and clinically required), design completion September 2026, full replacement September 2027, subject to ratification through internal governance.

Risk Level, Trust Confirms HIGH: "The level of risk is high, which is why replacing both cardiac catheter labs has been prioritised within our capital programme."

Critical Warning, Manufacturer Support Ends June 2026: the manufacturer has notified the Trust they cannot guarantee repair support from June 2026. Equipment will not automatically "stop working or become unsafe", but repairs "may still be possible but cannot be guaranteed", which "increases the level of uncertainty over time".

Contingency Plans: strengthened mitigations through governance routes, working with the manufacturer on different failure scenarios, reviewing internal escalation plans, assessing how to maintain safe service if one lab is unavailable, a mobile unit under consideration if both labs fail simultaneously, and financial contingency built into the capital programme.

System-Wide Impact Acknowledged: "We fully recognise the important role the labs play in supporting the wider system. Any sustained loss of capacity would have a direct impact on patient flows, pathways and system performance."

Key Constraint, National CDEL Cap: the Trust explains the Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit is the national cap on NHS capital spending. Every capital pound counts towards this single national limit. Even if a trust has cash or can borrow, spending still counts towards CDEL and may not be permitted if the national limit is close to being breached.

To: Joe Teape (Trust CEO), Libby Ryan-Davies (ICB Deputy CEO)
Date: 7 March 2026

Good evening Mr Teape,

I am writing to request immediate clarification regarding a serious matter that has been brought to my attention concerning the recent failure of both cardiac catheterisation labs at Torbay Hospital.

I have been informed that, during this incident, the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital declined to provide support to Torbay's cardiology service. This is particularly troubling given that RDE reportedly requests, and receives, regular assistance from Torbay when their own cath labs are over capacity.

To understand the gravity and implications of this situation, I request confirmation of: whether this event occurred as described; the date and time of the incident; how many patients were affected; what actions were taken to manage patient care; the clinical outcomes for those patients; and the reasoning provided by RDE for declining assistance, if applicable.

Kindest regards

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign
Governor of Torbay Hospital

To: Chris Balch (Medical Director), Joe Teape (Trust CEO)
CC: Steve Darling MP, David Thomas (Torbay Council), Steve Race MP, Steven Clark (NHS Devon ICB)
Date: 10 March 2026 18:21

Good evening Mr Balch

I am writing to you as a matter of urgency regarding concerns raised over the weekend about the availability of emergency cardiology services at Torbay Hospital. I wrote to the Chief Executive on Saturday but understand he is currently on annual leave.

We have received reports that a patient from Teignmouth requiring urgent cardiac intervention was to be taken to Torbay Hospital over the weekend by ambulance, but this was not undertaken as both cath laboratories were not operational at the time. Allegedly, cardiology staff at Torbay sought to transfer the patient to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but this request was declined, resulting in the patient being transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Considering the reported incident this weekend, I would be grateful if the Trust could urgently clarify: whether both catheter laboratories at Torbay were unavailable at the time; what contingency arrangements are in place when the labs are not operational; whether a request was made to transfer the patient to RDE; who is responsible for accepting or declining such transfers within the regional cardiac network; and whether any review of the incident is now taking place.

regards,

Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and The Heart Campaign
Elected Governor of Torbay Hospital

From: Jane Harris, Associate Director of Communications and Partnerships (on behalf of Adel Jones, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer)
To: Susie Colley (Heart Campaign Chair)
CC: Steve Darling MP, Martin Wrigley MP, Steve Race MP
Date: 12 March 2026, 17:17

Dear Ms Colley

Thank you for taking the time to write and for setting out your concerns so clearly. I recognise the important role you play in advocating for people with heart conditions.

Both of Torbay Hospital's cardiac catheterisation labs did experience a short, unplanned outage recently due to technical issues. These issues have since been resolved and services are currently operating as normal.

During the period of disruption, cardiology clinical teams worked together across Devon to agree appropriate support arrangements, in line with established clinical protocols. However having reviewed the incident carefully, we have identified a need to strengthen the standard operating procedures for cardiology diverts with the senior management teams to ensure that cross-site support across Devon is improved, and I have agreed with Chief Executives across Devon that I will take this forward at pace.

Both University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offered support as part of these arrangements over the weekend period. I can confirm that no patient was left without appropriate clinical oversight or escalation.

Yours sincerely
Adel Jones
Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer
Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust