Torbay Hospital Tower Block: update on fire safety improvements

The Tower Block is an ageing building with recognised fire safety risks linked to its age, design and condition. The Trust has been managing these risks through maintenance, safety measures, staff training and evacuation planning, and has recently secured £1.8 million of government funding for further improvements.

Fire safety inspections and improvements

Following an inspection, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has issued a formal enforcement notice relating to evacuation arrangements on floors 4 to 8 of the Tower Block, requiring improvements by 6 November 2026.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has also inspected the building and issued a warning notice relating to fire safety concerns.

The Trust is working with both regulators, NHS England and specialist advisers to strengthen fire safety arrangements, including additional staff training and increased overnight fire response capacity.

What happens next?

The Trust is developing plans to temporarily relocate some services from the Tower Block to other areas of Torbay Hospital and other Trust sites in local communities.

These changes are intended to reduce inpatient numbers in affected areas, improve evacuation arrangements and allow further fire safety work to take place.

The plans are still being finalised. The Trust has stated that services will not be moved until appropriate preparations have been completed, including workforce planning, patient pathway reviews, training and readiness assessments.

The Trust has confirmed that it will share further information publicly with patients, stakeholders and local communities once its plans have been agreed.