Torbay Hospital issued fire safety enforcement notice

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has been issued an enforcement notice by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service regarding fire safety concerns at Torbay Hospital. The notice, issued under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, specifically concerns the evacuation arrangements for floors four through eight of the hospital’s Tower Block.

Following an inspection, regulators determined that the trust must implement immediate changes to ensure sufficient escape routes and robust evacuation strategies. Required actions include reducing patient numbers on specific floors, increasing the number of staff trained in evacuation procedures, and relocating patients with high dependency needs to more appropriate locations.

The Trust has reassured the public that neither Torbay Hospital nor the Heatherington Unit will close, and patients will not be sent out of the area. Management stated that the fire safety risks associated with the Tower Block are not new and have been actively managed through staff training and ongoing investment. The Trust is currently working with the fire service to meet the notice requirements and is also engaging with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regarding proposed regulatory action related to fire safety oversight.