Heart attack care trial pulled to review feedback

NHS Devon said an updated proposal would be presented in July

A proposal to trial changes to heart attack services in part of Devon has been withdrawn to allow time to consider feedback on the plan.

NHS Devon's Integrated Care Board (ICB) was due to discuss a "test and learn" process for out-of-hours services in Torbay and Exeter during a meeting on Thursday.

As part of the move, the trial could have seen patients driven to hospital in Exeter rather than Torbay to help cut costs and release resources to cut treatment backlogs.

However, following concerns raised locally, NHS Devon said it had decided to delay the proposal so comments can be reviewed before an updated plan is presented to the ICB in July.

'Deeply concerning'

A report which formed part of the trial from NHS Devon said it believed consolidating centres might "provide increased value with minimal and clinically acceptable impact on safety and quality".

However, the idea was criticised by Liberal Democrat MPs Steve Darling and Caroline Voaden who both raised the issue in the House of Commons.

Torbay MP Darling said the proposal put patients at risk of not receiving treatment fast enough while South Devon MP Voaden said it would put people in critical danger.

Former Torbay Conservative MP Kevin Foster also raised concerns with the trial, which he described as "deeply concerning".

In a statement on Wednesday, NHS Devon said its chair and chief executive had decided to pull the plans from the board meeting off the back of "wide-ranging" comments from politicians, health professionals and patients.

"This will enable the feedback to be fully considered and allow time to reflect on whether such a process will lead to clarity on future commissioning arrangements to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important service," NHS Devon said.

It added its key priority was to commission "safe, reliable and sustainable" services for the future of healthcare in the county.

NHS Devon said: "We will engage with our clinicians and partners to design this and find the most effective solutions for the whole population of Devon.

"An updated proposal will be presented to the board in July, taking into account the valuable feedback received."