Adult Social Care in Torbay Under Threat:
Public Meeting Announced
While the public is focused on Christmas, decisions are being made that could fundamentally change health and social care in Torbay.
On the evening of 16th December, Torbay Council Leader Dave Thomas made an announcement that every resident needs to hear: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seriously considering ending the Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Torbay Council.
This agreement is the legal foundation of the Torbay Integrated Care Organisation, the model that joins up adult social care with NHS services in our area.
What is the Torbay Model?
The Torbay Model integrates health and social care so that services work together to keep people well in the community and out of hospital. It has been nationally recognised for this approach, and is currently being examined by the Casey Commission as a potential blueprint for adult social care reform across the entire country.
The model works on a simple principle: invest in community care to prevent more costly hospital admissions. As Councillor Thomas stated, this approach has already led to the closure of several hospital wards over the years, because fewer people needed acute care when community services were working effectively.
The Full Statement from Council Leader Dave Thomas
“I want to advise Cabinet, all Councillors and our community that Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is giving serious consideration to ending the Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Torbay Council for the delivery of Adult Social Care in Torbay.
The Torbay Integrated Care Organisation is a truly integrated approach to the delivery of health and social care that benefits our residents. The model is pioneering - it is currently being considered by the Casey Commission as part of Baroness Casey’s review into the reform of Adult Social Care across the country - and it is completely aligned to the NHS 10 Year Plan, which is aiming to shift activity from hospital settings into communities.
The Trust do not currently believe that any such decision requires consultation with residents. However, I believe that such a decision is hugely significant for our communities and that consultation is required as this is a “substantial change”. I cannot force the Trust to undertake consultation, but I can make everyone aware of the potential for such a decision to be made - hence why I am making this announcement today, so as to allow fellow councillors and residents the opportunity to express a view directly to the Trust.
I was advised yesterday that it is likely that decisions will be made in January and February, which could ultimately lead to notice being given to the Council by 31 March 2026.
Whilst I understand the financial pressures in health, it is important to remember that the Torbay Model has always been predicated upon using health monies in the delivery of adult social care so as to reduce more costly admissions into the hospital. As a result of the integration, a number of wards in Torbay Hospital have been closed over the years. It is not a case that the Council is underfunding the delivery of adult social care - it has been independently verified that the money that we pay as a Council into the Integrated Care Organisation is fair. It is system behaviours that result in the need for significant health contributions, but I do genuinely believe that there is work that can be done within the Integrated Care Organisation to bring down the costs whilst maintaining the benefits of integration for our residents. Indeed, transformation plans have been developed but not delivered.
I have been in regular dialogue with the Chair of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Chris Balch, and I know that he supports the integrated approach. However, he requires financial support from within the NHS to allow the arrangements to continue. It is disappointing I have not yet been invited to any board meeting to present the case for the continuation of the arrangements on behalf of the residents of Torbay. I understand that discussions are to take place with NHS England at regional and national levels as well as a cross government meeting between Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health and Social Care.
All Leaders on the Council are completely united in full support of the integrated arrangements continuing and collectively we call on the Government to support the continuation of the Integrated Care Organisation in Torbay.”
What is Being Proposed?
The Trust is considering walking away from this arrangement. The key points from the Council Leader's statement:
Decisions could be made as early as January or February 2026
Formal notice could be given by 31 March 2026
The Trust does not currently believe public consultation is required
All political leaders on Torbay Council are united in opposing this move
The Council Leader believes this is a "substantial change" requiring consultation
Why This Matters for Torbay Hospital
This is not an isolated decision. It sits within a pattern of changes that, taken together, threaten the long-term viability of Torbay Hospital.
If integrated community care is dismantled, hospital admissions will rise. A hospital already under pressure will face even greater demand, while simultaneously losing the infrastructure that has kept admissions manageable.
The logic is circular and damaging: reduce community capacity, increase hospital pressure, then use that pressure to justify further service reductions.
Once services are lost, they do not come back.
This is directly relevant to the future of cardiac services. A hospital struggling with rising admissions and reduced community support becomes harder to defend. Every service cut weakens the case for maintaining specialist units locally.
The Timing is Not Coincidental
Major announcements made in mid-December, with decisions scheduled for January, follow a familiar pattern. Public attention is elsewhere. Consultation periods are compressed. Opposition has less time to organise.
This is not transparency. This is managing the narrative.
What You Can Do
Attend the Public Meeting
A public meeting has been organised so residents can understand what is at risk, ask questions directly, and show support for maintaining integrated care in Torbay.
Date: Thursday 8th January 2026 | Time: 5:30pm to 8:00pm | Venue: Imperial Hotel, Parkhill Rd, Torquay TQ1 2DG | Parking: TBD
No prior knowledge is needed. This meeting is open to everyone: patients, families, carers, staff, and anyone who uses or may need health and social care services in Torbay.
View the Facebook event and confirm your attendance
Make Your Voice Heard
Share this information with friends, family, and neighbours
Attend the public meeting on 8th January
Watch for further announcements and consultation documents
Contact your local councillors and MP to express your concerns
Silence Will Be Taken as Consent
If residents do not engage, decision-makers will interpret that as acceptance. The time to speak is now, before decisions are finalised, not after.
The future of health and social care in Torbay is being decided. Make sure your voice is part of that decision.
Our mission is to keep Torbay's Cardiac Unit local and to protect the hospital services, staff, and community that depend on it. For updates on this issue and the ongoing campaign, follow us on social media and check back regularly.