‘Babies will be born in laybys’: maternity cuts leave women with stark choices in Devon
Concerns about feeling pressure to have caesarean section, or paying for hotel in Exeter after hospital in Barnstaple suspends birthing services For mother-to-be Harriet Knight, the suspension of maternity services at one of England’s most remote hospitals means having to face horribly stark choices. “The next closest maternity unit is a full two hours away and we have a family history of labour…
A shortage of medical staff at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple has led to the suspension of maternity services, leaving expectant mothers with difficult choices. The nearest alternative facility, Exeter, is a full two-hour drive away. This has placed pregnant women in rural North Devon in a "scary situation," as they are forced to either give birth in laybys on the north Devon link road or travel to Exeter for care.
One woman, Harriet Knight, is considering paying for temporary accommodation in Exeter to keep her and her baby safe. Hannah Rulton, who required an emergency caesarean section due to a previous traumatic birth, fears she may have to relive that nightmare if she has to travel to Exeter. The trust responsible for the hospital, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating that they cannot provide safe medical cover at the hospital due to staff shortages.
The shortage has been exacerbated by staff departures, sick leave, and a lack of available locums. The trust plans to restart maternity services once a safer staffing level is achieved, but a timeframe has not been provided. Calls have been made for increased investment in the maternity workforce to ensure safe staffing levels and compassionate care for women and families.
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