Trust chief executive Joe Teape said: “There are no easy answers when managing some of the oldest NHS estate in the country or making changes of this kind.<\/p>\n
“We now have the further investment we need to carry out the compartmentation work in the tower and a practical way forward that keeps services within Torbay and South Devon.”<\/p>\n
MPs welcomed the news of extra funding, with South Devon Liberal Democrat Caroline Voaden saying she was “relieved” work could begin.<\/p>\n
Torbay Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling also praised the update, but added: “Serious questions need to be asked about why it took a crisis to break at Torbay Hospital for this money to be released.”<\/p>\n
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government “inherited a broken NHS with many hospital buildings in a dangerous state of disrepair”.<\/p>\n
“After years of delays, Torbay Hospital is now on a realistic and sustainable footing to be rebuilt as part of the New Hospital Programme.<\/p>\n
“But we are also providing \u00a36.75bn across the country through the Estates Safety Fund to ensure safe environments for healthcare delivery, and expect every trust to take all necessary steps as a matter of urgency to protect their patients.”<\/p>\n
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