AS we move towards the 75th anniversary of the NHS in July next year, a new graphic timeline has been unveiled on the wall of a corridor at Torbay Hospital, which reflects on the history of health and social care in Torbay and South Devon and looks towards what the future might hold.

The timeline, which was unveiled in a ribbon cutting ceremony, is 30ft long, and features key dates both from the history of healthcare in the local area and more widely across the country.

Local people, visitors, patients and staff of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust were asked what key dates they would like to see featured and, although not exhaustive, the timeline captures many important milestones.

These range from the opening of the first hospital in Dawlish in 1871, to the building of Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre this year.

Along the way it tells that the first hospital was built in Newton Abbot in 1873, while the people of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh had their community hospital opened in 1899. Like Paignton it became a health and wellbeing centre in 2015.

In 1900 Moretonhampstead Hospital was opened and is now run by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The timeline is rounded off with a television screen highlighting some of the organisation’s upcoming developments, including planning activity for the New Hospitals Programme, which is known locally as ‘Building a brighter future’ for Torbay and South Devon.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was hosted by Sir Richard Ibbotson, chairman, and Liz Davenport, chief executive, and they were joined by representatives from governors, Torbay Nurses League and their acute and community hospitals Leagues of Friends.

Legacy, a poem written by local poet Harula Ladd, was recited at the ceremony by Dr Joanne Watson, health and care strategy director.

The poem was written as part of the day of remembrance in March which marked the anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown, where Harula wrote poems for staff, patients and visitors on themes which matter to them and which reflect on the extraordinary work of people in the NHS during an incredibly challenging time.

Liz Davenport said: ‘Our new graphic timeline is a fantastic way of reflecting on where the organisation has come from, who we are today and where we want to be in the future.

Sir Richard Ibbotson said: ‘We have a proud history here in Torbay and South Devon and it is fantastic to see this reflected in our timeline.

‘This has been an excellent opportunity to honour our past and celebrate our achievements and milestones, and we equally understand the importance of learning from our mistakes and identifying when things need to change.

‘By doing this, we can look towards our brighter future, building on what has gone before.’

Visitors to Torbay Hospital can find the timeline on the long corridor from the level 4 main entrance foyer, heading towards the Bayview Restaurant.