We have a long history of health and care services in Torbay and South Devon. We’ve been capturing some of our key milestones on a timeline that’s adorning the wall of one of our main corridors at Torbay Hospital.
This short video gives a glimpse of the historical milestones that are captured in the display:
You can see the full timeline on the level 4 link corridor at Torbay Hospital.
Alternatively, please see the online version of our history below.
Have we missed a milestone or not got something quite right? Let us know.
The Mental Health Act (1983) introduced the issue of consent in mental health treatment and set out when people can be detained, or “sectioned”. It applies in England and Wales, and is still the main piece of legislation that covers the assessment, treatment and rights of people with a mental health disorder.
1984
1984
A new Intensive Care Unit was built on the Torbay Hospital site.
A new mental health unit was also built on the Torbay Hospital site.
1985
1985
Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, opened the hospital’s new maternity unit – The John MacPherson ward. This was named in honour of Mr John MacPherson, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
John MacPherson Ward
1987
1987
The world’s first heart, lung and liver transplant was performed. The procedure helped pave the way for other multiple organ transplants.
1988
1988
NHS breast and cervical cancer screening were introduced. Mammograms are offered to women aged over 50, and women aged 20 to 64 are offered cervical cancer screening.
1990
1990
A new pathology and mortuary building was built at Torbay Hospital.
Hetherington Unit was officially opened and TREC (Torbay Research and Education Centre) an integrated central library and lecture theatre was constructed.
1991
1991
NHS trusts were set up in the first of several reorganisations of how health services are planned, structured and paid for. Torbay Hospital became one of the first NHS trusts in the country and was known as South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
1992
27 August 1992
On 27 August 1992, Devon Air Ambulance flies its first mission – the service operates 5 days a week until July 1997 when it is extended to 7 days a week. In November 2016, they began night time flying up to midnight every day.
1993
1993
The new Totnes Community Hospital was opened by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Kent.
There had been a cottage hospital in Totnes since the nineteenth century.
1994
1994
The NHS Organ Donor Register was launched.
1994
1994
A new Day Surgery Unit and a Cardiology outpatients department was built at Torbay Hospital.
1997
1997
The “CARRIE” project Crisis Assessment and Rapid Reablement for the elderly was rolled out. It was a highly successful service which led to the development of the intermediate care service.
1998
1998
The NHS Direct service for non-emergency health problems was piloted in three areas of England. It has since been replaced with NHS 111.
1999
1999
Dawlish Community Hospital was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. There has been a hospital in Dawlish since 1871.
2001
2001
A three-storey extension was built to form the Cataract Day Case Unit at Torbay Hospital.
2005
2005
Torbay Care NHS Trust became one of just five integrated health and social care organisations in the country and built its model of care around a fictional character called Mrs Smith which formed the foundation of our current care model.
The Trust was responsible for nine community hospitals and for adult social care for the Torbay and South Devon region. Adult social care staff from Torbay Council TUPE’d to the new organisation while adult social care staff from South Devon remained employed by Devon County Council.
2005
2005
Torbay Pharmaceuticals produced over 1million units.
2006
2006
We welcomed our first undergraduate medical students from local medical schools in Exeter and Plymouth.
2006
October 2006
We introduced self-referral into musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
2007
2007
South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (responsible for Torbay Hospital) was authorised as one of the early NHS Foundation Trusts and became South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.