Crumbling Torbay Hospital is in ‘critical’ condition says MP

Shoppers in Paignton have been putting their names to a letter demanding much-needed investment in Torbay Hospital.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling has called on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to visit the hospital, saying it is in ‘critical’ condition.
The MP has highlighted the condition of some of the hospital’s ageing buildings, with sewage leaks and structural problems affecting a number of its older departments.
A complete rebuild had been promised by the previous Conservative government, and the current Labour administration has said the promised £350million rebuild cannot be delivered yet.
The letter, which was taken out onto the streets of Paignton, said: “The situation is dire, and unless urgent action is taken, the consequences for patient care and staff morale will be severe.
“We have waited long enough. The hospital estate is deteriorating and the pressure on services is growing. The people of Torbay deserve better, and so do the dedicated NHS staff who work tirelessly in increasingly difficult conditions.”
Passers-by signed the letter, which calls on Mr Streeting to visit the hospital ‘without delay’ and see the problems for himself.
Mr Darling said: “The feedback we’re getting from our community is that once people are in the hospital receiving the service, they are glowing about the support that they receive from our NHS heroes.
“But those heroes are having to work in appalling conditions and this cannot continue.
“We need to challenge the government and see if there are ways of getting this investment sooner.”
The Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust declined an invitation to comment.