Key facts
- The maternity service at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple has been suspended indefinitely.
Doctors at North Devon District Hospital's maternity unit, which suspended services due to staff shortages, have undergone emergency training for birth complications. Pregnant women face long journeys to other hospitals, raising safety concerns.
The closure of a maternity unit in a remote area raises critical concerns about patient safety, access to essential healthcare, and the sustainability of services in underserved regions, potentially impacting maternal and infant health outcomes.
Doctors at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH), one of England's most remote, have undergone emergency training for birth complications following the indefinite suspension of its maternity unit due to staff shortages. The closure, effective from Tuesday, means many pregnant women must now travel at least an hour and a half to reach the nearest maternity services in Exeter, a journey that raises significant safety concerns, particularly during peak summer traffic.
One doctor at NDDH revealed that emergency staff have been trained to handle critical situations such as shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage, acknowledging the potential risks to women who may not reach a hospital in time. The doctor expressed shock at the situation, stating that while the emergency department is capable, the lack of specialist obstetric support for unexpected emergencies is confronting.
Women in the area have voiced fears of being forced to give birth without medical assistance at home or on the roadside. Jemima Knight, who is 18 weeks pregnant, highlighted the danger and trauma of potentially giving birth in a car during holiday traffic, comparing the proposed travel time to expecting women in Bristol to travel to London for birth.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS foundation trust has described the suspension as temporary but cannot provide a timeline for the return of maternity services. Staff are concerned about the potential downgrading and dismantling of services at the hospital, which has impacted morale. The increased strain on the emergency department, especially during the busy summer tourist season and with a large elderly population, is also a significant worry.
Devon county council leader Julian Brazil has called the closure extremely concerning, stating that such a situation would not be accepted in other parts of the country. The trust has stated its ongoing efforts to recruit additional consultants and doctors, but has not yet been able to secure sufficient staff to ensure safe service provision.