To receive an update from the South Devon NHS Foundation Trust on the performance of the diagnostic unit together with the performance against diagnostic targets versus actual targets.

(Note: to be presented by Caroline Cozens, Director of Capital Developments, New Hospital Programme Director, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust).

The Director of Capital Developments and Head of Communications and Engagement from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust gave a presentation, as circulated prior to the meeting, on the latest position regarding the Building a Brighter Future (Torbay Hospital) Programme and the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Market Street.

Torbay was one of 46 hospitals included in the Government’s Programme, 40 original plus six who had been added following the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) problems.  The Government was reviewing the Programmes, taking into account Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the NHS and the NHS 10-year plan and was expected to confirm the details as part of the Autum Budget on 30 October 2024.  Work had continued on the Programme to ensure that it was ready to proceed to the next stage once the Government had confirmed the future.

The new Community Diagnostic Centre in Market Street, Torquay was established in partnership with InHealth and opened on 2 September 2024. It was offering echocardiography, lung function tests, ECGs, phlebotomy and ultrasound.  CT, MRI and X-ray were expected to open at the end of October 2024.  The project was on track and committed to deliver the agreed outcomes.

Members asked questions around did GPs still refer patients in the same way and could hospital consultants refer patients to the new Community Diagnostic Centre; had more staff been employed and had this impacted on existing hospital staff; was the tower at Torbay Hospital going to be demolished; why was progress on the Building a Brighter Future Programme so slow; and when was Torbay going to get a walk in centre.

In response to questions about the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), Members were advised that GPs and hospital consultants would continue to refer patients in the same way, but the patients would have the option to choose the CDC or Torbay Hospital.  The CDC was provided by InHealth and they were responsible for recruiting staff and a previous Manager from the Trust had been supporting them.  The aim was to grow the workforce rather than move staff from the Hospital.

Members were advised that the Building a Brighter Future Programme was a national programme and the pace was dictated by the Government.  The Chief Executive of the Trust welcomed the current review of the Programme which she felt confident would continue to be delivered, once funding had been confirmed in October.  The Trust had been successful in some new developments e.g. the new endoscopy unit and was working with contractors and carrying out all appropriate preparations including the third outline business case so that it aligned with the Hospital 2.0 Blueprints.  They would have wished to move faster but funding was released in tranches.  It was confirmed that although money had been spent on the tower at the Hospital to make it safe it would be demolished towards the end of the project as part of the replacement of all inpatient ward beds.

The Sub-Board was advised that there was no immediate plan for a walk-in centre in Torbay.  It was a model for Integrated Care Boards to be delivered in partnership with the primary care sector but would require funding and resources from the Integrated Care System.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.       that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board notes the update provided by South Devon NHS trust in relation to the delivery of the capital programme and re-design of the hospital and the new Community Diagnostic Centre; and

2.       that Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust be requested to provide the Sub-Board with further updates on progress of the delivery of the Building a Brighter Future capital programme and re-design of the hospital on 17 April 2025.