Campaigners to stage 'ring of hope' around Torbay Hospital as they call for services to be protected
Devon's NHS says it has no plans, at the moment, to close or relocate services - adding: "A case for change doesn’t automatically lead to service changes for NHS services"
Last updated 5th Dec 2025
Campaigners - fighting to save what they claim is under-threat heart attack services in Torbay - are staging a ‘ring of hope’ demo outside the hospital on Saturday.
NHS bosses say they have no current plans to close the service and rely on ambulances driving to Exeter and maybe Plymouth instead - after pausing a trial earlier this year.
The NHS has issued a statement saying: "To be really clear, the draft case for change does not contain any proposals for ‘change’ or ‘closure’, and a case for change doesn’t automatically lead to service changes for NHS services.
Heart campaign founder Susie Colley said: "They are bringing out the proposals for the case for change in January or February next year. They very coyly say there are no plans to close the coronary department at the moment. Of course they are not going to close it at the moment, as that's today."
She added: "Torbay Hospital is the fourth best in the country for coronary perfusion, where is Exeter in that rating? They are number 48."
Campaigners will stretch on public road between the two main entrances to the hospital site from 11am – and have vowed not to disrupt services.
Torbay MP Steve Darling says the demo is about showing the hospital needs improving not downgrading, adding; "We've done well with holding off the cuts to coronary care services and we've got to keep the pressure up as we want to make sure that Torbay remains an acute hospital."
What has Devon's integrated care board and hospital trust said?
Libby Ryan-Davies, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategic Commissioning and Planning Officer for NHS Devon said: “Improving heart health for local people is one of our top priorities. We want to be open, transparent and involve residents at every stage of this work. No changes have been proposed, and this is very much the beginning of a conversation. We encourage people to stay informed and take part in the engagement early next year.”
The full open letter is available here
The chief executive of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust has also issued an open letter.
Chief Executive Joe Teape wrote: "We are working closely with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to make sure everyone has the chance to share their views. Once the draft case for change has been published – the ICB will lead an engagement programme to capture the views of the local population, partners and key stakeholders as part of the draft case for change development process.
It added: "We know the Heart Campaign has raised concerns about patient safety, access to emergency care and the possible impact of centralising services. We are listening and I have personally met with representatives from the Heart Campaign. Their concerns and feedback is being noted and I can assure you it will be considered as part of the wider engagement process."
A spokesperson for the NHS explained 'NHS Devon has published an open letter to local residents outlining its long-term plans to improve heart health and strengthen cardiovascular disease, cardiology and cardiac surgery services across Devon. Heart and circulatory disease remains one of the leading causes of early death in the county.
It added: "More needs to be done to prevent illness, diagnose conditions earlier and support people to stay healthier for longer. Health and care organisations across Devon are now working together on a draft case for change for cardiovascular disease, cardiology, and cardiac surgery services. This early work will set out what is working well, the challenges that need to be addressed.
"NHS Devon emphasises that no decisions have been made, and there are no proposals to cut or close services. A case for change is the term of a document used by the NHS to set out the current situation and areas where improvements may be needed in future.
"Over the coming weeks, NHS Devon will continue working with cardiology clinical leads, MPs and will collaborate with councils, community organisations and local people to shape the case for change document ahead of publication for wider feedback. A detailed clinical review will also take place to ensure the work is accurate and evidence based.
"A wider public engagement process is planned for January to March 2026, giving local people the chance to share their views and help shape the next stage of the programme. Residents are encouraged to stay involved by visiting the dedicated Cardiology One Devon webpage and signing up for regular email updates and expressing interest in joining our new lived experience group for people affected by long-term health conditions.
The Torbay Heart campaign website can be found here