RDF3768-25
Royal Devon & Exeter
DEFLECTED
RDE efficiency concerns, locum use, weekend working costs
Submitted: 13 October 2025 | RDE deflected to ICB
Deflection: Rather than answer these questions about their own services, RDE suggested contacting the ICB instead.
Why This Matters: Torbay publishes its cardiac cath lab waiting time openly (7 weeks, October 2023). When asked for equivalent data, RDE claimed it was "not available", yet they want to take over Torbay's workload. If RDE will not answer basic questions about their efficiency, staffing, and costs, how can anyone assess whether they are capable of absorbing more patients?
Questions RDE refused to answer:
- Why do 8 interventional cardiologists still require locum cover for sickness?
- What are the costs of running weekend sessions?
- Why are Torbay's waiting lists increasing due to RDE patient transfers, and why isn't this acknowledged?
- Why can't RDE publish waiting time data that Torbay provides transparently?
Response: RDE suggested writing to the ICB instead of responding directly.