Pregnant Women Face Two-Hour Drive as Devon Hospital Halts Maternity Care

Maternity services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) are currently suspended, creating significant challenges for expectant mothers. Pregnant women in the region must now travel up to two hours to reach the maternity unit in Exeter, raising concerns about potential dangers during birth. This suspension is a direct result of severe short staffing, a critical issue that had been identified as a major corporate risk for the past two years.

NHS bosses faced scrutiny over the decision, which impacts an estimated three births per day typically handled at the Barnstaple site. The trust has contacted around 300 pregnant women to discuss revised birth plans, particularly concerning for those in North Devon and North Cornwall where transport links are limited. The situation is exacerbated by seasonal population increases due to holidaymakers.

Concerns about the safety of maternity care have been amplified by a series of national scandals involving babies suffering brain damage or death due to understaffing. Briefing papers revealed that NDDH's maternity unit operated at the limits of safe staffing for two years. A combination of retirements and sickness among staff triggered the decision to suspend services in July. Recruitment challenges, particularly for a rural hospital, are cited as a key factor, with the suspension expected to last until at least the end of September.