CAMPAIGNERS fighting changes to cardiac care in South Devon have called for caution over claims that the controversial proposals have been scrapped for good.

Local MPs who applauded the apparent decision of the local integrated care board (ICB) to halt its controversial changes said the battle had been won but the war was not over.

Now the Torquay-based Heart Campaign, which has led the protests, has also called for caution, saying concerns remain over long-term plans for local services.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “This is an important and hard-fought victory for our community, but it is not the end of the campaign.”

There was a public outcry at a programme which suggested cutting back on Torbay Hospital’s acclaimed cardiac services including some emergency admissions. It was claimed that lives would be lost if patients had to be taken to Exeter instead of Torbay, as was suggested.

The situation would be made worse during bad winter weather or at the height of the summer season.

The ICB has now withdrawn the ‘draft case for change’ which included the contentious cardiac care proposals, but plans to launch a broader investigation into its services, with public engagement as part of it.

Now, however, protesters fear the whole hospital could be downgraded. Some specialist services have already been relocated to Exeter and the state of the crumbling Torbay Hospital buildings has been highlighted repeatedly in Parliament.

“If Torbay Hospital is downgraded to what amounts to a cottage hospital, it will have serious consequences for healthcare across our entire community,” said the spokesperson.

The Heart Campaign now has almost 6,000 signed-up supporters, and a public meeting is planned at the Grand Hotel in Torquay on April 13.

Campaign chair Susie Colley said that while last week’s announcement represented significant progress, the five-year strategy caused ‘deep concern’.

“Despite assurances that there are no proposals to move the cardiology department and that consultation will take place, questions remain about the direction of travel over the past nine months,” she said.

“Clinicians have raised serious concerns, including a lack of recruitment to key posts and the gradual movement of some services to Exeter. These developments risk undermining the long-term sustainability of cardiology services at Torbay Hospital by weakening capacity and expertise on site.

“If there are truly no plans to move cardiology services, then we need to see that commitment reflected in active recruitment, investment, and transparency.”