The decision, which is expected to be made during a board meeting on 26 March, will mean the notice period running from the end of March 2026 until 1 April 2027. 

In an open letter in to Torbay residents in February, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, chief executive, Joe Teape, said the cost of providing social care had increased by around 48% over the past three years resulting in an annual funding gap of £35m.

Teape said: ‘This is no longer financially sustainable. As an NHS Foundation Trust we have a statutory duty to breakeven and we cannot do that with such a significant shortfall in adult social care funding.'

David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said: ‘The most important thing for me to say at this point is that I understand that any period of change brings uncertainty. I wanted to assure you that we will make sure that people who access care and support services in Torbay will continue to receive appropriate care during this process, while upholding our safeguarding duties. 

‘We will keep our residents and other local stakeholders informed throughout this process.'