Campaigners looking at legal options as they call on council to rescind plans to support neighbouring NHS
Campaigners plan to make their voices heard ahead of this week's Torbay Council meeting
Last updated 20th Jul 2026
More than 1,300 people have now signed a petition urging Torbay Council to rescind a £7.5 plan to help support the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Susie Colley, from the newly renamed 'Save Torbay Hospital' Campaign is worried the plan will eventually result in histopathology or laboratory services, including those currently provided at Torbay Hospital, being relocated.
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors are now acting on behalf of Save Torbay Hospital, which says it could look to bring a legal challenge.
Chair Susie Colley said: "They are going to move the pathology department from Torbay Hospital up to Exeter to help out the R,D & E - how does that help us down here in Torbay? Answers on a postcard please, it doesn't.
"My argument is that if they're still going to provide us with emergency services, why are they moving the whole department up to Exeter anyway - why don't they leave it down here?'
Greatest Hits Radio has been told that last week's shake-up of Devon local's Government could add strength to an argument for enhancing Torbay Hospital as the newly enlarged 'Torbay and South Devon' council area is very similar to the hospital’s catchment.
Supporters of the Save Torbay Hospital campaign - previously known as the 'Heart Campaign' will wear red as they gather outside the English Riviera Centre in Torbay before a full meeting of Torbay Council on Thursday.
A campaign statement said: “We are calling for answers and transparency over decisions that could affect the future of Torbay Hospital, including the proposed move of the pathology laboratory to Gadeon House in Exeter.”
The petition can be found here
What are campaigners worried about?
The campaign began when it was first suggested that some heart care services could be moved from Torbay Hospital to Exeter. There were fears from members of the campaign and local politicians that lives could be lost as a result of the extra distance to be travelled for emergency care, particularly during summer seasons when traffic between the bay and Exeter is often delayed.
Health chiefs responded by shelving the most controversial proposals for changing heart care services, but the campaign has continued.
There are fears now that services at Torbay Hospital could be gradually scaled down, with more key services moved to Exeter. The local health trust says this is not the case.
Most recently there have been concerns over moving some laboratory services to the Torbay Council-owned Gadeon House on the outskirts of Exeter. The council has committed £7.5million towards the project.
Torbay’s health trust says it needs to move services away from an outdated lab on the Torbay Hospital site, and it will retain some of its key tissue-testing services in the bay.
But members of the Campaign, which is led by protester Susie Colley, say they still have concerns over the future of the local hospital.
What has Torbay Council said ahead of the meeting?
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: "We remain the landlord of Gadeon House, which secures income for the council to support us in delivering our services. We have agreed a 25 year lease with Royal Devon University Healthcare to deliver a new pathology laboratory. This enables essential improvements to services currently housed in accommodation with significant long term limitations, supporting a safer and more resilient regional pathology network.
“Through a Capital Contribution and Works Deed, we have agreed to contribute £7.5 million towards the £10 million specialist fit out costs required for the facility. This reflects the complex and highly technical requirements of a pathology laboratory, which exceed standard commercial fit out costs. This contribution will be repaid to the Council with interest, and is not a loan but a mechanism to deliver landlord and specialist works needed for the tenant.
“The decision to enter into the lease and agree the fit out contribution was made under delegated officer powers, in line with the Council’s constitution. The Chief Executive consulted group leaders as part of the urgent decision making process, and all were supportive of the approach.
“Alongside this, we continue constructive discussions with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust including a lease for the remaining floor of Gadeon House and have supported wider investment, including land at Edginswell to increase capacity and improve access. Together, these actions demonstrate ongoing partnership working to address immediate challenges and support the future and modernisation of Torbay Hospital and local healthcare.”