Request for Parliamentary Assistance on the Transfer of Services from Torbay to Exeter
Sent to: James Murray MP
The five specific requests to the MP:
- Seek an explanation from NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, and Torbay Council regarding the proposals.
- Request publication of the business cases, clinical impact assessments, equality impact assessments, risk assessments, and governance documentation underpinning these decisions.
- Establish whether the proposals constitute a substantial variation of health services requiring formal public consultation.
- Ensure that any reconfiguration of services complies fully with statutory duties relating to public involvement, transparency, and accountability.
- Consider whether independent review or ministerial scrutiny is warranted before any irreversible decisions are implemented.
From: Susie Colley (chair@tqcc.co.uk)
To: James Murray MP
Date: 6 June 2026, 14:46
Dear James Murray MP,
I am writing to request your urgent assistance regarding a series of decisions being taken by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, and Torbay Council that appear to be contributing to the progressive transfer of acute and diagnostic services away from Torbay Hospital and towards Exeter.
Local residents are increasingly concerned that decisions are being made incrementally, without adequate public scrutiny, consultation, or transparency, resulting in the gradual erosion of services relied upon by communities across Torbay, South Devon and the wider catchment area.
Of particular concern are proposals relating to the centralisation of pathology services in Exeter, supported by a reported £7.5 million loan from Torbay Council to Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Serious questions remain unanswered regarding the financial rationale, clinical impact, governance processes, consultation requirements, and consequences for urgent histopathology and frozen section services that support cancer surgery and other time-critical procedures.
The attached correspondence sets out a number of specific questions that have yet to receive satisfactory answers.
Given the significance of these changes and their potential impact on access to healthcare for hundreds of thousands of residents, I respectfully ask that you:
- Seek an explanation from NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, and Torbay Council regarding the proposals.
- Request publication of the business cases, clinical impact assessments, equality impact assessments, risk assessments and governance documentation underpinning these decisions.
- Establish whether the proposals constitute a substantial variation of health services requiring formal public consultation.
- Ensure that any reconfiguration of services complies fully with statutory duties relating to public involvement, transparency and accountability.
- Consider whether independent review or ministerial scrutiny is warranted before any irreversible decisions are implemented.
The cumulative effect of service transfers from Torbay to Exeter has generated considerable concern locally. Public confidence depends upon full transparency and meaningful engagement before decisions of this magnitude are finalised.
I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide and look forward to your response.
Kindest regards
Susie Colley
Chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce and the Heart Campaign
Status: Sent 6 June 2026 to James Murray MP with the 6 June letter to the Trust Boards and Torbay Council attached. The letter requests parliamentary assistance in obtaining explanations and documentation from the three organisations, and asks the MP to consider whether the proposals require formal public consultation and whether ministerial scrutiny is warranted before irreversible decisions are taken. No response received. This letter sits alongside the £7.5m Loan and Edginswell card, which contains the detailed questions referenced here.