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Statement in response to New Hospital Programme review announcement

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The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is deeply disappointed following the outcome of New Hospital Programme review announced on Monday confirmed that North Devon District Hospital will now not see building work start until between 2035 and 2039.

Sam Higginson, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are deeply disappointed for the communities of North Devon, our patients and staff that the critical nature of North Devon District Hospital and the need for urgent investment has not been fully recognised in the review into the New Hospital Programme.

“We have spoken publicly about the risks in our ability to continue to deliver health and care services which meet both our current and future needs. As the most remote hospital in mainland England, investing in our hospital services is vital to ensure we can continue caring for our local population for years to come.

“These further delays mean that we will need to assess the full details of this review rapidly and seek routes to funding to mitigate the most severe risks to our theatres and intensive care unit between now and 2035. We will, of course continue to work with the Government and NHP on longer term plans that deliver fit for the future healthcare to the North Devon population.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-deliver-all-schemes-in-new-hospital-programme


Below are a set of frequently asked questions with answers to support you in understanding what the Royal Devon is doing following the announcement.

Q. What are the immediate priorities for North Devon District Hospital?

A. The immediate priorities include securing investments for critical areas such as theatres, critical care, and maternity. We have already undertaken a critical risk review and this will form the basis for identifying the essential work needed de-risk the most fragile parts of the hospital's infrastructure as quickly as possible

Q. How much funding is needed for these immediate priorities?

A. We believe we need to seek around £50 million for immediate improvements to theatres and critical care. However, more funding will be needed to address the full scope of the hospital's needs. For example, at the very beginning of the New Hospital Programme we estimated we needed around £250 million to address critical care, theatres and maternity.

Q. What is the plan for addressing the hospital's critical maintenance backlog?

A. The hospital plans to use the requested funding to implement a risk mitigation plan based on the critical risk review that has already been completed. We are working through exactly what this might mean at present, but it could include installing modular theatres to increase capacity and refurbishing the main theatre block.

Q. What are the next steps if the requested funding is not secured?

A. If the funding is not secured, the hospital will have to consider alternative measures, such as mothballing theatres one at a time to carry out necessary repairs. This would impact the hospital's ability to manage waiting times and elective work and we will be actively having this conversation with NHS England and the ICB to manage this risk.

Q. How will the hospital address the growing population in North Devon and Torridge area?

A. We absolutely know this is a challenge. The hospital is working with council leaders to understand future population and working with them to advocate for the necessary investments to expand and improve the hospital's infrastructure.

Q. What is the Royal Devon’s commitment to maintaining services at North Devon?

A. The Royal Devon’s leadership is committed to keeping as many services in North Devon as possible and has no plans to use the current situation as an opportunity to force through service changes. The unique geography and needs of the North Devon population make it essential to protect and develop the hospital's services.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is deeply disappointed following the outcome of New Hospital Programme review announced on Monday confirmed that North Devon District Hospital will now not see building work start until between 2035 and 2039.

Sam Higginson, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are deeply disappointed for the communities of North Devon, our patients and staff that the critical nature of North Devon District Hospital and the need for urgent investment has not been fully recognised in the review into the New Hospital Programme.

“We have spoken publicly about the risks in our ability to continue to deliver health and care services which meet both our current and future needs. As the most remote hospital in mainland England, investing in our hospital services is vital to ensure we can continue caring for our local population for years to come.

“These further delays mean that we will need to assess the full details of this review rapidly and seek routes to funding to mitigate the most severe risks to our theatres and intensive care unit between now and 2035. We will, of course continue to work with the Government and NHP on longer term plans that deliver fit for the future healthcare to the North Devon population.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-deliver-all-schemes-in-new-hospital-programme


Below are a set of frequently asked questions with answers to support you in understanding what the Royal Devon is doing following the announcement.

Q. What are the immediate priorities for North Devon District Hospital?

A. The immediate priorities include securing investments for critical areas such as theatres, critical care, and maternity. We have already undertaken a critical risk review and this will form the basis for identifying the essential work needed de-risk the most fragile parts of the hospital's infrastructure as quickly as possible

Q. How much funding is needed for these immediate priorities?

A. We believe we need to seek around £50 million for immediate improvements to theatres and critical care. However, more funding will be needed to address the full scope of the hospital's needs. For example, at the very beginning of the New Hospital Programme we estimated we needed around £250 million to address critical care, theatres and maternity.

Q. What is the plan for addressing the hospital's critical maintenance backlog?

A. The hospital plans to use the requested funding to implement a risk mitigation plan based on the critical risk review that has already been completed. We are working through exactly what this might mean at present, but it could include installing modular theatres to increase capacity and refurbishing the main theatre block.

Q. What are the next steps if the requested funding is not secured?

A. If the funding is not secured, the hospital will have to consider alternative measures, such as mothballing theatres one at a time to carry out necessary repairs. This would impact the hospital's ability to manage waiting times and elective work and we will be actively having this conversation with NHS England and the ICB to manage this risk.

Q. How will the hospital address the growing population in North Devon and Torridge area?

A. We absolutely know this is a challenge. The hospital is working with council leaders to understand future population and working with them to advocate for the necessary investments to expand and improve the hospital's infrastructure.

Q. What is the Royal Devon’s commitment to maintaining services at North Devon?

A. The Royal Devon’s leadership is committed to keeping as many services in North Devon as possible and has no plans to use the current situation as an opportunity to force through service changes. The unique geography and needs of the North Devon population make it essential to protect and develop the hospital's services.