NEWTON Abbot MP Martin Wrigley has described news that health chiefs in Devon have put on hold on controversial trial for heart patients as a ‘huge relief’.

As announced earlier today, the ‘test and learn’ trial put forward by health bosses to cut costs had been on the agenda of today’s Devon Integrated Care Board meeting.

The controversial trial had prompted criticism from local politicians who said it could put lives at risk.

It proposed moving out of hours cardiac services from Torbay to Exeter.

Following the ICB’s announcement, Mr Wrigley said: ‘It was a huge relief to get the news that the proposed move of out of hours PPCI services from Torbay to Exeter has been put on hold.

‘Steve Darling, Caroline Voaden and myself have been campaigning against this proposal, not least because there was no formal governance review before the decision.

‘We also met with members of the cardiology department, including several consultants, who expressed serious concerns to us about this move.

‘Whilst the proposals haven’t been taken off the table completely, they have been put on hold to enable NHS Devon and the ICB to fully evaluate the feedback received from all stakeholders, and to assess the future sustainability of the service.

‘I consider this a win for common sense.

‘Changes to essential health services should always be backed up by robust governance reviews, along with assessments to ensure that patient safety isn't compromised.'

Politicians of all parties had urged the ICB to rethink the plan to take some patients to Exeter rather than to Torbay Hospital for treatment.

They say the extra time taken – on average 28 minutes – could put lives at risk.