Latest news with #CarolineVoaden
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devon heart attack care trial pulled to review feedback
A proposal to trial changes to heart attack services in part of Devon has been withdrawn to allow time to consider feedback on the Devon's Integrated Care Board (ICB) was due to discuss a "test and learn" process for out-of-hours services in Torbay and Exeter during a meeting on part of the move, the trial could have seen patients driven to hospital in Exeter rather than Torbay to help cut costs and release resources to cut treatment following concerns raised locally, NHS Devon said it had decided to delay the proposal so comments can be reviewed before an updated plan is presented to the ICB in July. 'Deeply concerning' A report which formed part of the trial from NHS Devon said it believed consolidating centres might "provide increased value with minimal and clinically acceptable impact on safety and quality".However, the idea was criticised by Liberal Democrat MPs Steve Darling and Caroline Voaden who both raised the issue in the House of MP Darling said the proposal put patients at risk of not receiving treatment fast enough while South Devon MP Voaden said it would put people in critical Torbay Conservative MP Kevin Foster also raised concerns with the trial, which he described as "deeply concerning". In a statement on Wednesday, NHS Devon said its chair and chief executive had decided to pull the plans from the board meeting off the back of "wide-ranging" comments from politicians, health professionals and patients."This will enable the feedback to be fully considered and allow time to reflect on whether such a process will lead to clarity on future commissioning arrangements to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important service," NHS Devon added its key priority was to commission "safe, reliable and sustainable" services for the future of healthcare in the Devon said: "We will engage with our clinicians and partners to design this and find the most effective solutions for the whole population of Devon."An updated proposal will be presented to the board in July, taking into account the valuable feedback received."
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Wealthy landowners lose Supreme Court case to restrict wild camping on Dartmoor
A wealthy landowning couple have lost a Supreme Court case to restrict wild camping on Dartmoor - in the latest twist in the dispute over public access to the moor. The bitter dispute began when Alexander and Diana Darwall's lawyers argued that some campers were causing problems to livestock and the environment. The couple, who keep cattle on a 3,450-acre estate in the southern part of Dartmoor, sought and won a High Court case that restricted people's right to camp on the national park in Devon without landowner consent. But that ruling was overturned at the Court of Appeal a few months later - and on Wednesday, the pair lost their challenge against it at the Supreme Court. The high-profile case is seen as a test case for countryside access, with campaigners hopeful it will now mean greater access rights for walkers and campers across the country. South Devon Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden told The Independent: 'I'm absolutely thrilled with this ruling. It is a vindication of something we've all known for a long time: that the stars are for everyone, and that access to nature is not a nice to have, but a fundamental necessity for a happy, healthy life. 'It's a shame this had to be tested yet again in the courtroom. Now this is over, I hope we can begin work to extend our right to wild camp beyond Dartmoor. In opposition, Labour spoke about extending the right to wild camp across the UK. I hope they will put those words into action and expand access rights for walkers and campers across the country.' The ruling largely focused on the wording in the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, that says 'the public shall have the right of access to the commons on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open-air recreation'. In written submissions, Timothy Morshead KC, for Mr and Mrs Darwall, had said the act only gives the public access on foot and horseback 'which naturally means walking and riding'. However, barristers for the Dartmoor National Park Authority, which opposed the move, said that the phrase 'on foot' means access should be pedestrian and not by means of a vehicle. The DNPA also disputed the concerns of damage caused by camping, describing the reported impact to land and vegetation as 'absurd'. The legal battle started in January 2023, when the Darwalls won their High Court case that ruled the law did not give people the right to pitch tents overnight without landowners' permission. However, just months later the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, finding the law gave people 'the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor Commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise' as long as byelaws are followed.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Devon MPs concerned over proposal to move coronary care
Two Devon MPs have raised fears about a proposal to move out-of-hours coronary care from Torbay to Exeter, believing the move could endanger comes after the NHS and the integrated care board (ICB) said it was considering stopping out-of-hours coronary care in Torbay and moving treatment to Exeter Devon MP Caroline Voaden said the move would "put people in critical danger" and called for a rethink, while Torbay MP Steve Darling said the proposal could put residents at "risk of tissue death".An NHS spokesperson said: "Our board of directors has not made any decision on this proposed test of change." 'Urge everyone to call 999' They added the NHS was "committed to working with our cardiology clinical leads" to "ensure their thoughts were captured" and shared with NHS Devon to help inform its spokesperson also said: "We continue to urge everyone to call 999 or visit our emergency department if they have a chest pain or a suspected heart attack."Mr Darling has pressed for an urgent meeting with the board to explain the rationale behind the potential change. In a letter to the board's chief executive following the debate, he said: "Your cardiologists have told us that for residents in Torbay, Dartmouth or elsewhere in South Devon their chances of full recovery from a heart attack could be severely impacted by the extra time needed to get to Exeter."In our view this does not provide equitable care for all – would you agree?"
