Healthy Futures
July 2026
Helping you to keep cool this summer.
Welcome, from Joe
While it may seem strange to be talking about winter at the start of the summer holiday, this is exactly the time of year when we begin planning for what is traditionally one of the busiest periods for the NHS.
Our priority this winter is to ensure you, your loved ones and the people you care for can access the care they need, in the right place and at the right time. We are building on improvements which are already making a difference, including our frailty service, expanding our Same Day Emergency Care services and strengthening community support that helps people to stay well at home and return home from hospital sooner.
At the heart of our winter plan is a clear commitment to eliminate corridor care. Receiving care in non-clinical areas affects patient safety, dignity and experience. It’s not the standard of care we want to provide and we’re committed to ensuring no one is treated in non-clinical areas this winter. Our Trust wide corridor care event generated 26 individual improvement ideas from our teams that are being taken forward as well as the larger scale improvements that are central to our improvement plan. Our winter plan is part of this programme, not a separate plan.
By planning early, learning from experience and working closely with our partners, we can continue improving services and be ready for whatever winter brings. Together, we will do everything we can to provide safe, high-quality care for you and your loved ones.
Enjoy your summer holiday, whatever you have planned, and thank you for your continued support.
Joe
Celebrating 30 years of day surgery with significant investment in robotic technology
Our Torbay Hospital League of Friends helped our day surgery service celebrate its 30th birthday with a significant investment towards a new robotic surgical robot. The League announced it would generously contribute 40% of the £1.3million cost of the new robot, which will provide huge benefits to our patients and continue our long-standing focus on improving how surgical care is delivered.
The investment follows a six-month pilot of the Versius robotic surgery system, which allowed our surgeons to safely evaluate the technology before any decision to invest was taken.
Versius is a versatile, adaptable and modular robotic platform designed to support both inpatient and day case surgery across a range of specialties, including upper gastrointestinal, colorectal and general surgery. Its modular design means it can be used across different theatre settings, supporting a range of procedures using minimally invasive techniques.
During the pilot phase, our surgical team carried out what is believed to be the world’s first robotic day case colectomy (bowel cancer removal), with the patient able to return home on the same day. The team has since delivered further milestones, including what is understood to be the UK’s first day case high anterior resection, as well as the first day case intra-thoracic stomach repair in the South West.
Together, these developments show how advances in surgical technology are supporting the expansion of day surgery at Torbay, enabling increasingly complex procedures to be delivered safely without an overnight stay.
Robotic assisted surgery allows surgeons to operate with better vision and greater precision than standard key-hole surgery, using small incisions which result in less post-operative pain, smaller scars and a quicker recovery, where clinically appropriate. For patients, this can mean spending less time in hospital and returning to normal activities sooner, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and care.
The investment supports our wider ambitions to modernise surgical services, expand day case surgery where appropriate, and create an environment that enables clinical teams to work as effectively and safely as possible. It also places a strong emphasis on workforce development, with comprehensive training built into the robotic programme.
Dr Kate Lissett, our Chief Medical Officer, says: “Robotic assisted surgery has the potential to improve patient experience and recovery, while allowing our teams to safely carry out more complex procedures as day cases where appropriate.
“The support from Torbay Hospital League of Friends has been instrumental, allowing us to move forward following a thorough evaluation. This investment reflects our commitment to improving patient care, supporting our staff, and ensuring that services at Torbay Hospital continue to develop in line with modern clinical practice.”
Martin Tucker, Chair of Torbay Hospital League of Friends, said: “We are proud to support this investment in robotic surgery for Torbay Hospital. Our role is to help fund projects that will make a meaningful difference for patients and staff, now and into the future. This felt like a carefully thought through proposal, grounded in real clinical experience, and we’re delighted to be able to contribute.” You can read more at Marking 30 years of day surgery at Torbay Hospital with significant investment in robotic technology.
Angie Abbott receives national Gold Award for Excellence
Congratulations to Angela (Angie) Abbott who has received the Chief Allied Health Professional Officer’s Gold Award for Excellence – one of the highest honours available to Allied Health Professionals in England.
The award recognises Angie’s outstanding contribution to improving foot health services, developing the podiatry workforce and championing innovation throughout her career. Her nomination highlighted her pioneering work in creating new roles, career pathways and apprenticeships, helping to shape the future of podiatry both within the South West and nationally.
Angie was recently presented with her award by Gina Sargeant, the South West’s Chief Allied Health Professional. Angie was one of just nine professionals across England to receive the award this year.
Although Angie has now retired, she continues to make a significant contribution to the profession, working part-time for NHS England and leading the South West podiatry workforce action group.
Angie says: “It’s a real honour to receive this award. I’ve been lucky to work alongside brilliant colleagues and teams over many years and this recognition really reflects what we’ve achieved together for patients and for the podiatry profession. I’m proud of the teams I’ve worked with and grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve had along the way.”
Supporters help celebrating our charity’s birthday
Our Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity celebrated 30 years of supporting local healthcare by bringing together donors, fundraisers, sponsors and supporters at a special event to recognise the difference they have made to patients, families and NHS colleagues across Torbay and South Devon.
The celebration event, which took place earlier this month, brought together many of the people who have supported our charity during the past three decades, providing an opportunity to thank the people, community groups, local businesses and organisations whose generosity has helped make things better for people using health and care services across our communities.
The charity has funded projects and initiatives that go above and beyond what NHS funding alone can provide, and during the past year alone more than 50 different services and teams across our acute, community and adult social care services have been supported. This has included funding specialist equipment to improve comfort for people receiving cancer treatment, creating opportunities for young adult carers to build confidence and resilience and supporting projects that enhance the environments where care is provided.
Guests at the event heard stories of the charity’s impact and reflected on the countless fundraising activities, donations and acts of generosity that have helped shape its work.
Our chairman, Dr Martin Beaman said: “This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the generosity and community spirit that helps make so much possible across Torbay and South Devon. For 30 years, our charity has supported projects that enhance care, improve environments and create opportunities for patients, families and colleagues. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the charity over the years and proud to be part of a wider network of community groups, local charities, businesses, volunteers and supporters who make such a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
If you would like to support our charity by taking part in a sky dive, 10k or marathon or organise your own event, visit Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity
We’ve re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant
We’re proud of our military connections and at the end of June we reaffirmed our commitment to the Armed Forces community by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Covenant is a simple but important promise: that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in accessing healthcare or employment.
Across our organisation, this commitment is already part of how we work. We support veterans and serving personnel in our care, recognise the contribution of colleagues with Armed Forces connections, and continue to look at how we can make our services more responsive to their needs.
Re-signing the Covenant gives us a chance to reflect on that work and to renew our focus on what more we can do.
If you’re a veteran who’s using our services, we know that you might need different types of care and support so please make sure you tell the person who’s in charge of your care to ensure you and your family are accessing all of the benefits available to you.
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Making it easier for you to manage your health
Nearly 29,500 people have signed up for the MY CARE app and website since it was launched at the start of the year, giving them fast access to their health information when they need it.
MY CARE holds your hospital and specialist community medical information in one place, giving you access to your test results, recent and future appointments and letters from us at your fingertips, helping you to easily check where you need to be and when. And if you’ve been sent a test, you’ll be able to read the results on MY CARE once they have arrived.
It’s safe and easy to use, giving you easy access to your medical information, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and even when you’re away from home or abroad.
MY CARE complements the NHS app. The NHS app gives you access to information about your GP care, repeat prescriptions, vaccinations, organ donation and NHS 111 online. MY CARE gives you information about your hospital and specialist community care.
And in a new development, you can now use your NHS app login to access MY CARE with a new secure link between the two online services. Simply log in to MY CARE using your NHS app login details and then select Continue to NHS log in from the MY CARE log in page. You can then click on your hospital and specialist community care appointments in the NHS app to transfer to MY CARE and get more detailed information.
It’s already in place at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and was introduced at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust this month, meaning you can view any appointments you have there.
You can find our more about MY CARE and how to sign up at MY CARE and the NHS App are now linked.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Epic launch
Congratulations to our colleagues at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust for successfully launching its new electronic patient record, Epic, across its hospitals and community sites.
This means that all three hospital trusts in Devon are now using Epic, allowing patient health information to be shared digitally across our acute services by people who are involved in their care. It also means that anyone who accesses specialist services at Plymouth can also now see their appointments, letters and test results on MY CARE in the same way people can for Exeter. Well done to everyone who’s been involved in this amazing achievement.
The Devon EPR brings together all patient records across three partners:
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Welcoming new members of our Board of Directors
We are pleased to welcome Joanna (Jo) Webber and Arwel Griffiths as Non-Executive Directors, and Debbie Stark as an Associate Non-Executive Director.
Non-Executive Directors play an important role in bringing independent oversight, constructive challenge and support to our Board, helping to ensure our services are safe, effective and meet the needs of the people and communities we serve.
Jo joins with a strong clinical background and extensive experience in NHS leadership and national policy. She trained as a nurse before moving into senior operational and leadership roles, and later became Policy Director at the NHS Confederation, where she worked across the NHS, including leading the Ambulance Services Network. She has a particular interest in improving how people access and experience healthcare.
Arwel brings more than 40 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across healthcare, public services and complex organisations. His career spans board-level positions in NHS-commissioned urgent care, national scientific services, the private sector and the charity sector, with a strong focus on governance, risk and organisational transformation.
Debbie brings extensive experience from across public health, the NHS and local government, having held senior leadership and Board-level roles throughout her career. She has a particular interest in partnership working, population health and supporting sustainable decision-making that improves outcomes for local communities.
These appointments come at an important time for our organisation, as we continue to strengthen our leadership and governance to support improvements for patients, colleagues and communities.
Our chairman Martin says: “I’m delighted to welcome Jo, Arwel and Debbie to our Board. They both bring a breadth of experience, thoughtful judgement and a strong commitment to public service. Their independent perspective and constructive challenge will be an important part of how we continue to make the best decisions for the people and communities we serve.”
You can read more about Jo, Arwel and Debbie at Welcoming new members of our Board of Directors.
Are you ready to make a difference?
We’re looking for people to help shape the future of our local NHS care by becoming one of our governors.
Being a governor is an exciting and rewarding role, and helps ensure the voices of patients, carers, members of the community are considered by our board before decisions about health and care services are made. Governors work closely with our Chairman and board, and act as our organisation’s critical friend.
Nominations to become a governor are open until 5pm on Monday 27 July. To stand for election you must be a trust member, be 16 or older and live in the constituency you want to represent.
Jake O’Donovan was recently elected to represent the Teignbridge constituency and is encouraging people to consider joining him as a governor. He said: “I’ve lived in Torbay for 10 years; two of my children were born at Torbay Hospital and my family has had to use some of its services during the past few years.
“I used to work for the NHS and I’ve seen first-hand how hard people work and the innovation that is taking place to provide care to people when they need it, but I’ve also seen where improvements can be made. It’s sometimes easy to just say that something isn’t working, but I wanted to do something to support and protect our NHS for my family, friends and the people who live in Teignbridge.
“Becoming a governor is helping me to strengthen the connection between local people and the NHS services that serve them. I would encourage anyone who loves our local NHS to consider becoming a governor.”
Lead Governor Loveday Densham says: “We’re looking for people who are passionate about where they live and want to support and improve our communities. You don’t need any NHS experience, just be willing to listen, ask questions and represent people’s views.
“I love being a governor and knowing I’m making a positive difference to improving our NHS at a time when it’s under significant pressure to transform how care is provided in our hospitals and in our communities. Torbay and South Devon is a diverse community and we’re looking for people who reflect our diversity, including those who have experience of using our services, carers, younger and working-age residents and anyone who feels their voice is not always heard.”
To learn more or to put yourself forward, see our Become a governor page.
Join us at our annual members’ meeting
Mark your diary to join us for our annual members’ meeting in September.
Every year we hold our annual members’ meeting, which is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements of the past year, and share our plans and opportunities to inform what we do. We also formally sign off our annual accounts and report.
This year’s event will take place from midday to 4pm in Paignton Library on Wednesday 30 September and for the first time we’ll have a wide range of activities, demonstrations and people for you to speak to about your health and wellbeing. We’ll be sharing more details in next month’s edition of Healthy Futures.
Accessing Emergency Care at Torbay Hospital
There’s been some discussion on social media about access to emergency care at Torbay Hospital, so we want to provide some reassurance.
Our Emergency Department has its own dedicated entrance on Level 3 at Torbay Hospital, which remains open and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Some recent comments we’ve seen on social media relate to signage at the Level 4 main entrance reception area. This signage is intended to support patients and visitors when the Level 4 reception desk is unstaffed and provides information and contact details for people who would otherwise have been assisted by the reception team.
People attending the Emergency Department do not need to use these contact points to access emergency care or clinical assistance.
If you need emergency care, please continue to access the Emergency Department through the Level 3 entrance as normal.
Please feel free to share and thank you for helping us ensure patients and members of the public have accurate information about how to access our services.
Cellular pathology (histopathology) services and Gadeon House
There has been lots of interest and some confusion about plans for pathology services at Torbay Hospital and the use of Gadeon House in Exeter, and we want to be clear about what it means for our services and the people we care for.
Cellular pathology, also known as histopathology, is part of our wider pathology services, and while patients do not usually see these services directly, they are essential to diagnosis and treatment decisions.
The service is delivered from a temporary facility at Torbay Hospital that’s not suitable for use, and our plans to replace this facility through the New Hospital Programme did not progress so we’ve been finding a solution that supports the long-term future of these services.
We have secured £4.6 million from NHS England to develop a new, purpose-built laboratory at Gadeon House in Exeter to carry out routine cellular pathology work, improve safety for our colleagues and provide resilience for the service. As part of this:
- there will be an interim step to relocate cytology activity to release space and address immediate safety risks on the Torbay site
- the full transition of routine cellular pathology services is expected during the next 12 to 18 months, subject to detailed design, planning and ongoing engagement
- arrangements for any urgent and time-critical cellular pathology work needed to support care at Torbay Hospital will be built into the final operational model.
There are no changes to where patients receive care and all urgent and time-critical cellular pathology work needed to support care at Torbay Hospital will still be provided, including through the acute service laboratory on the Torbay site where this is clinically required.
Gadeon House and other organisations
Separate arrangements are in place for the use of Gadeon House. We are using the building to support our cellular pathology services, funded through NHS England and our lease with Torbay Council. Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a separate agreement with Torbay Council and plans to locate its blood sciences and microbiology services in the building.
We are working with partners across the Peninsula Pathology Network and our clinical colleagues to explore how pathology services can be made sustainable for the future, and no decisions have been made.
We are also developing plans to improve our estate and support the future of Torbay Hospital. We have purchased land at Edginswell Business Park which is being used to help ease pressure on the main hospital site, including parking and improving patient and visitor access.
In the longer term, and subject to planning, it creates opportunities for some support services and future facilities to be located off the main site to free up space at Torbay Hospital for patient-facing services
We’ll continue to keep everyone informed at this work progresses. You can read our full statement at Statement on cellular pathology (histopathology) services and Gadeon House.
Keeping mums and babies safe and having the best start in life
Earlier this month two national reports about maternity and neonatal services were published by Baroness Amos and Donna Ockenden’s Independent Maternity Review of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
Our Chief Nurse, Nicola McMinn, encourages you to share your thoughts on our maternity services?
We welcome the publication of these important reports and would like to recognise the experiences of the women, babies and families from across England who contributed to them. It is right that these experiences are listened to and acted upon.
Being pregnant can be an anxious time and we recognise that some people might feel worried about what they’re seeing and hearing.
The safety, wellbeing and experience of women, birthing people and babies is our absolute priority. Most births in our care are safe, and our teams work with professionalism, compassion and dedication every day to make sure women, babies and your families are safe and have a good experience in our hospital or at home. Our services are highly rated by the people we care for, and they often tell us they felt cared for, they had a positive experience and they were treated with kindness, respect and dignity.
We want to make sure you have the very best care and we are working closely with Devon’s Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to continually review and improve our maternity and neonatal services, and people’s experiences of them.
Some of the improvements we’ve made include allowing partners to stay in hospital if they have a baby admitted to the transitional care unit or special care, and introducing a dedicated paternity triage telephone line, so we can answer your questions quickly, when you need us.
We are carefully reviewing the findings and recommendations of these reports and, where needed, take further action to strengthen the care we provide. We want to encourage any family who has concerns about their care to come forward so we can listen, support them and learn. For all urgent concerns or questions please call our maternity triage phone on 01803 656588, or the Special Care Baby Unit on 01803 654602. You can also contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
It’s never too late to give your child the best start in life
Vaccination remains important at every stage of life and we’re encourage everyone to take up the vaccines available to them, including maternity vaccinations that help protect both mother and baby, childhood immunisations and vaccinations for older adults to reduce the risk of serious illness.
The Autumn Vaccination Programme will begin later this year, offering additional protection to those most vulnerable as we head into winter. Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. To check if you are eligible for any of the vaccines offered by the NHS, contact your GP surgery or follow this link: Vaccinations – NHS
We’re encouraging families across Torbay and South Devon to check that their children are up to date with their routine vaccinations as the Torbay 0–10 Childhood Immunisation Project works with GP practices, community services and local partners to contact families whose children are due or overdue routine vaccinations.
The aim is simple: to make it easier for families to access vaccines and ensure every child gets the protection they need.
Childhood vaccinations are a safe and effective way of protecting children against serious infectious diseases. They help protect individual children while also reducing the spread of illness within schools, nurseries and the wider community.
We understand that there are many reasons why children may have missed vaccinations, whether through a busy family life, changes in circumstances or simply because an appointment was missed. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help – not to judge.
As part of the project, parents and carers whose children are identified as being due or overdue routine vaccinations may be contacted directly by the team or their GP practice. We’ll help arrange an appointment at a time and place that works for your family, including community-based clinics, weekend appointments and, where appropriate, home visits. Families are also welcome to contact their GP practice if they would like to arrange a catch-up vaccination.
We can provide clear, friendly information and give families the opportunity to ask questions and get the support they need from healthcare professionals.
The Torbay Childhood Immunisation Project brings together GP practices, community services and local partners with one shared aim: to ensure every child in Torbay has the opportunity to receive the protection they need for the best possible start in life.
Parents and carers are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status and respond to any messages from the project team or their GP practice. If you’re unsure whether your child is up to date, don’t worry – just get in touch. We’re here to help.
To contact the team please email: d-icb.outreach.torbaychildimms@nhs.net
Choose well this summer
The past month has been incredibly hot and while many of us enjoy the sunshine, the high temperatures can have serious consequences for people’s health, including the very young and people who are living with a long-term condition.
Our colleagues who work across our acute and community services, colleagues who were driving across The Bay in high temperatures to visit people in their homes and in local care homes to ensure they received the care they need. Our estates and facilities teams who were working in our plant rooms, where conditions are far hotter than elsewhere in our hospitals, to make sure our cooling and fan systems were working so patients and staff were cool and safe, while our catering colleagues delivered lollies and ice poles to patients to ensure they remained hydrated. We want to say a huge thank you to all our colleagues for working so hard during the heatwave, wherever you work and whatever your role, thank you for all you do to keep people safe and cared for.
Hot weather can put extra pressure on the body and can lead to dehydration, overheating, and make existing health issues worse. People with conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney problems or mental health conditions may be more affected.
Some medications and having more than one condition can also make it harder for the body to stay cool and properly hydrated.
If you’re living with a long-term condition, it’s especially important to:
- Keep an eye on your symptoms and seek advice if they get worse
- Make sure you have enough medication and understand how heat might affect it
- Stay cool and hydrated to reduce strain on your body
People with heart, lung or kidney conditions may be particularly vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related illness. Those with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels carefully, as hot weather can affect blood sugar control and insulin storage.
People living with dementia may be less aware of the effects of heat or forget to drink enough fluids, so carers and family members are encouraged to provide regular support and reminders. You can contact NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 in an emergency, or visit the NHS website’s heatwave page for advice on staying safe in hot weather.
Help us help you stay well
Self-care
Hangover, Cough, Cold, Grazes, Small cuts, Sore throat.
Self-care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries.
A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.
Pharmacy
Diarrhoea, Earache, Painful cough, Stings, Bites, Rashes, Teething, Sticky eye.
Pharmacists advise and treat a range of symptoms. This can avoid unnecessary trips to your GP, UTC or ED and save time.
No appointment is needed and most pharmacies have private consulting areas.
GP
Arthritis, Asthma, Back pain, Vomiting, Stomach ache.
GPs, nurses and other primary care staff have an excellent understanding of general health issues and can deal with a whole range of health problems.
Urgent care
Minor scalds and burns, Sprains, Strains, Suspected broken bones, Itchy rashes.
Our urgent treatment centre provides services for a range of conditions.
ED / 999
Severe bleeding, Breathing difficulties, Severe chest pain, Loss of consciousness.
Our Emergency Department or 999 is best used in an emergancy for serious or life-threatening situations.
Stay safe this summer
School’s out and summer’s begun, and we want you to have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Knowing how to access the right care at the right time helps you stay well. Here’s how to make the right choice:
Self-care
For minor issues like sunburn, hay fever, mild dehydration, or heat rash—rest, stay hydrated, use sun protection, and try over-the-counter remedies.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists can help with a range of minor illnesses and give expert advice—no appointment needed!
GP or NHS 111
If you have a new or worsening health concern, contact your GP practice first, or call NHS 111 (online or by phone) if it can’t wait until they reopen for support and guidance.
Urgent care
For urgent but non-life-threatening issues like minor burns, sprains, or insect bites visit our minor injuries units or our urgent treatment centre – always call ahead and book an appointment if you can: Book an appointment: Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centre
Emergency
In life-threatening emergencies, go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 999 immediately.
How to stay safe in hot weather
With the high temperatures looking set to stay for a while longer, here are some simple steps to stay well:
- Try to stay out of the heat, particularly from 11am to 3pm. If you are going out during this time, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen liberally and re-apply frequently
- Keep your home cool by closing blinds or curtains during the day
- Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day
- Check in on friends, family and neighbours, especially older people or those living alone
- Store medicines correctly and take them as prescribed
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the early morning or the evening
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
Time to start thinking about a career in the NHS or care
The summer holidays might have just started, but we know some young people are already thinking about what to do when they finish school or college, or are applying for university.
Deciding on your future career can be daunting, especially when you may not be sure what you want to do, but our virtual work experience platform, Springpod, is the perfect way to explore the wide range of health and care roles that are available to young people.
We believe there is no better way to help you decide your future than with real life experience, and Springpod has helped many young people explore job roles they might not have considered.
There are more than 360 careers to choose from – and not all of them are medical. More than 10,755 young people have gained valuable work experience with Springpod, which includes videos and testimonials from people who work in a variety of roles in our organisation You can learn more about what it’s like to work here, how their career pathway started and what a typical day in their role looks like.
Did you know we bring breast screening to communities across Torbay?
Our mobile unit makes it easier for you to have an appointment close to home. All locations are accessible by local bus routes, and parking is available too.
Currently the mobile unit is in Totnes, at Steamer Quay car park.
For anyone who uses a wheelchair or needs extra support, we also run clinics at the Breast Care Unit at Torbay Hospital. This site has lift access, free parking and longer appointment times if you need them. We also run Saturday clinics once a month.
Screening is quick about 15 minutes and all mammograms are carried out by female staff. It may feel a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful, and it could make all the difference.
If you’re aged 50 to 70 you’ll be invited every three years. Over 71? You can still self-refer by calling 01803 655350. Some trans and non-binary people are also eligible, so check with your GP if you’re unsure.
Supporting people who are living with cancer
Our recent community wellbeing event to support people living with cancer, and their family, friends and carers was so successful that we’re running another one in October.
Our personalised care and cancer services team will host its third wellbeing event at Newton Abbot Racecourse on October 20 and will bring together local organisations, NHS professionals, and community support groups to showcase the wide range of help available for people affected by cancer, including advice on physical activity, financial matters, and mental health and wellbeing.
Julie Eason, Personalised Care Project Manager for Cancer Services at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, who has helped organise the event, said: “This year’s event was a huge success and highlighted the need for people who are living with cancer, and those who are supporting them, to have an opportunity to meet others and discover the local support available to them. Everyone’s experience of cancer is different, and we want to encourage people to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing. Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can make a real difference, providing reassurance, comfort, and a sense of belonging.
“We want to make it easier for people to access the right information and support all under one roof.”
The event is free to attend, and there’s no need to book – simply come along on the day.
For more information, please contact The Lodge Cancer Support and Information Centre on 01803 656490.
NHS to offer new immunotherapy for hundreds of women with aggressive cervical cancer
Hundreds of women with aggressive cervical cancer are to be offered a new immunotherapy on the NHS, which could help more women survive and stay cancer-free in the long-term.
Pembrolizumab – which experts describe as being able to ‘take the handbrake off the body’s immune system’ to target cancer – will now offer a new option for women in England with locally-advanced cervical cancer.
This means the cancer has grown beyond the cervix to regions such as the pelvic wall, but not yet spread further around the body.
Trials found that adding pembrolizumab to standard chemoradiotherapy helped keep cancer at bay for longer and improved survival rates.
Two years after starting the treatment, nearly seven in 10 patients (68%) were still living without their cancer progressing, compared with 57% for those receiving chemoradiotherapy alone. The trial also found that 82.6% of patients were still alive three years after treatment with pembrolizumab and chemoradiotherapy, compared with 74.8% with chemoradiotherapy alone.
The drug is given every three or six weeks via an infusion or as a ‘one-minute’ injection, following the NHS’s recent rollout of a faster injectable version of pembrolizumab – alongside chemoradiotherapy.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “This is great news for women facing a diagnosis of aggressive cervical cancer – and represents one of the biggest improvements in treatment for this disease in recent years.
“Combining this immunotherapy with existing treatment has had very positive effect for patients in trials, helping the body’s immune system to target cancer more effectively.
“We’re delighted it will be available for patients on the NHS as it could help hundreds more women survive and stay cancer-free in the long-term.”
Cervical cancer is the 14th most common cancer among women in the UK, with 3,300 people diagnosed every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The NHS estimates around 550 patients in England will be eligible for the treatment over the next two years, around 270 per year. Patients will receive fast-tracked access from today, funded by NHS England’s Cancer Drugs Fund.
Torbay awarded Child Friendly Certificate of Commitment by UNICEF
Torbay has been awarded its UNICEF Child Friendly Cities and Communities Certificate of Commitment in recognition of the commitment to listening to children and respecting their rights.
Torbay Council’s Cabinet agreed a new Child Friendly Action Plan, which was developed with input from local children and young people and those who work with them, in May before it was submitted to UNICEF UK for approval.
Children and young people have been engaged through surveys, face to face sessions in local schools, and a Discovery Day event was held at the Riviera International Centre, where they voted on what they thought were the most important things to focus on for the rest of the programme. The plan explains:
- What needs to change to make Torbay safer, healthier and more child friendly
- What adults and organisations will do differently
- How children and young people will continue to be involved in decisions
Naomi Danquah, Programme Director of Child Friendly Cities and Communities, UNICEF UK, said: “Torbay’s Certificate of Commitment is a proud moment for the area, recognising a shared effort by the council, partners, and most importantly children and young people, to put children’s rights at the heart of local decision-making.
“Their voices have helped shape the priorities for what comes next, and while this is just the beginning, it sets a strong foundation for lasting change by embedding children’s rights across services, creating more opportunities for young people to be heard, and building a community where every child feels respected and able to thrive.”
The goal of the programme is to make communities places where all the local children and young people have a positive and meaningful input, so they can benefit from the plans, decisions, spaces and services they use and that impact their lives where they grow up.
A child-friendly version of the action plan will now be created in partnership with children and young people. Find out more at Torbay Council’s UNICEF Child Friendly Community page.
Youngsters share their views of vaping
Engaging Communities South West, which runs Healthwatch in Torbay, has published a new youth-led report exploring young people’s experiences, views and understanding of vaping in Torbay.
The Torbay Young People’s Vaping Research Project was commissioned by Torbay Public Health and delivered by ECSW, with a Young People’s Panel of 12 young people aged 11 to 17 helping to co-design the project, shape the survey, gather views from peers and present the findings to local public health, education, community and enforcement partners.
The project brought together feedback from 445 young people aged 11 to 18, alongside input from parents, carers, teachers, professionals, primary-aged children and young people engaged through local partner organisations. Its key findings include:
- Young people were involved from the start, helping to shape the questions, gather insight and present the findings themselves
- Vaping was described as highly visible in some young people’s everyday lives, including in schools, public spaces and journeys to and from school
- Curiosity and social sharing were common reasons for first trying vaping, while some current users described vaping as linked to stress, anxiety, habit or routine
- Most young people recognised that vaping is not safe, but this did not always prevent continued use
- Young people reported accessing vapes through a range of routes, including shops, peers, family and online sources
- Some young people said they wanted to stop vaping but were unsure what support was available or what might help.
The report also highlights positive opportunities for prevention. Many young people who do not vape were able to clearly explain why, citing health, personal choice and independence as key reasons.
Partners will now work together to develop an action plan to turn the findings into coordinated local action.
Do you use Abbey Gates Junction in Torquay?
Torbay Council is looking at ways to improve pedestrian and cycle crossings at the busy junction and has launched a public consultation to hear people’s views and experiences. The junction is located just outside the gates of Torre Abbey and has seven roads meeting there.
Their goal is to make the junction safer, more accessible and easier to use.
Whether you travel through the junction on foot, by wheelchair or mobility aid, bike, car or public transport, they want to hear from you.
The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 10 August. All responses will be considered and will help shape any future improvements.
Take part in the online survey.
HANDi Paediatric app: advice for common childhood conditions
The HANDi Paediatric app gives up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them.
Developed by NHS organisations in Devon, the HANDi Paediatric app is available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
The app has been designed to help reduce the number of children and young people who visit A&E, but need no treatment.
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Read our previous Healthy Futures editions.
