News a £350m project to rebuild Torbay Hospital could face the threat of being axed has prompted an angry reaction from the former MP for Torbay who campaigned alongside local health teams to secure the investment.
The Building a Brighter Future project for Torbay Hospital would be the biggest single investment in South Devon’s healthcare services since the NHS was founded in 1948. It was committed to under the previous Government, with plans to deliver it at an advanced stage and construction on enabling works ready to start. Now Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed in writing he has placed it on a list of projects “under review”.
Recent years have seen significant capital investment into Torbay’s NHS, including the new Acute Medical Unit, Endoscopy Suite, and the new Day Surgery Unit. Yet the Building a Brighter Future Project was a vital part of Torbay Hospital’s future, including a new ward block to replace buildings from the 1920s and an upgrade to many other facilities.
Kevin Foster said: “Having worked with the teams at Torbay Hospital to develop and secure this investment programme, the thought of it now not only being delayed by the Health Secretary’s review, but potentially axed, is a huge blow. The case for the project is compelling, hence the clear commitments from previous Prime Ministers and the plan ready to start construction.”
“Our bay deserves the type of modern healthcare facilities which will be needed in the middle of this century, not facilities built a century ago. Before the recent General Election there had been cross-party support for the delivery of this project and suggestions a change of government would threaten it were dismissed by those arguing for one.”
“Now we must make clear the promises made to local people should be honoured, not dismissed or denied. I will do all I can to champion the case for this project and would urge residents to sign the petition calling on the Government to honour the pledges made to local people.”
You can find the petition at: https://www.kevinjfoster.com/campaigns/torbay-hospital-rebuild-must-be-delivered
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