We were delighted to welcome Minister for Health Karin Smyth to North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) today to see firsthand the need for targeted phased investment in the NDDH ahead of the full hospital rebuild plan expected to start no later than 2038.

Minister Smyth toured the hospital, meeting with colleagues. In particular she was shown our operating theatres and intensive care unit, and heard more about the critical need to redevelop these areas much earlier in the interests of both the taxpayer and the people of North Devon.

Recently the government committed to an early investment of £30m to support the rebuild of our 50-year-old staff accommodation block and increasing our MRI capacity.  Both of these are much needed and will help us to attract the best clinicians to North Devon as well as helping us to reduce diagnostic waiting times.

However, significant further funding will also be required to address remaining risks to patient care, in particular the full redevelopment of our operating theatres and intensive care unit, which are 50 years old and in critical need of replacement. The Royal Devon shared plans with the Minster as to how we could develop a phased plan of renewal which would make best use of taxpayer funds and ensure our clinicians can deliver modern, efficient care to the people of North Devon and beyond.

Karin Smyth was joined on the visit by our Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chris Tidman, our Chair, Dame Shan Morgan, and North Devon MP Ian Roome. 

As well as highlighting plans to upgrade our services, the visit also provided an opportunity for staff to share their experiences of care at the hospital.

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Devon, said: “We were delighted to be able to show the Minister around NDDH and to highlight not only the brilliant care our teams deliver daily to patients, but also how targeted investment in updating our facilities could unlock efficiency and save money for the taxpayer”

Dame Shan Morgan, Chair at the Royal Devon said: “I am delighted to have been able to have such a positive conversation with Minister Smyth today about the real need for further investment in NDDH. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Department for Health and Social Care to deliver a hospital that meets the needs of our patients and staff.”