MPs concerned over proposal to move coronary care

Two Devon MPs have raised fears about a proposal to move out-of-hours coronary care from Torbay to Exeter, believing the move could endanger people.

It comes after the NHS and the integrated care board (ICB) said it was considering stopping out-of-hours coronary care in Torbay and moving treatment to Exeter instead.

South Devon MP Caroline Voaden said the move would "put people in critical danger" and called for a rethink, while Torbay MP Steve Darling said the proposal could put residents at "risk of tissue death".

An NHS spokesperson said: "Our board of directors has not made any decision on this proposed test of change."

They added the NHS was "committed to working with our cardiology clinical leads" to "ensure their thoughts were captured" and shared with NHS Devon to help inform its decision.

The spokesperson also said: "We continue to urge everyone to call 999 or visit our emergency department if they have a chest pain or a suspected heart attack."

Mr Darling has pressed for an urgent meeting with the board to explain the rationale behind the potential change.

In a letter to the board's chief executive following the debate, he said: "Your cardiologists have told us that for residents in Torbay, Dartmouth or elsewhere in South Devon their chances of full recovery from a heart attack could be severely impacted by the extra time needed to get to Exeter.

"In our view this does not provide equitable care for all – would you agree?"

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