Closure of birth services at North Devon District Council condemned

THE announcement of the suspension of ‘birthing care’ at North Devon District Hospital has been met with concern by local political figures.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announced that from August 11, there would be insufficient consultant and medical cover to safely maintain births.

It projected that the hospital’s maternity unit would be short of consultants by up to 50 per cent compared to usual and with 40 per cent less tier two doctors, a figure which includes existing locum and substantive staff.

The hospital’s management cited several reasons why there was enough doctors to safely staff the unit, including staff leaving the hospital, staff maternity leave, staff sickness absence and short notice locum unavailability.

It has also moved to quell fears that the temporary closure of ‘birth services’ would remain a temporary measure, pledging that the service would open again.

The hospital’s management also promised to reopen when it is safe to do so and said that it is working to ensure that it happens as soon as possible.

However, it would not commit to a timeframe to reopening the services, stating that it is unable to estimate a time frame for when it will reopen because it is reliant on recruitment timeframes that are not under its control.

During the period of the closure, expectant mothers will be offered a choice of an alternative hospital to give birth from – with options including Exeter, Taunton, Plymouth, Truro or another regional hospital – all a significant distance and travel time from towns such as Holsworthy and its surrounding area.

The services being withdrawn until further notice are the facilities to give birth, have a caesarean section, being induced or attending triage or day assessments.

However, expectant families can still attend the hospital for 12 week dating scans, 20 week anomaly scans, growth scans, routine midwife appointments and glucose tolerance test appointments.

A spokesperson for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Following a review of medical staffing levels and professional advice from clinical leaders, the Royal Devon University Hospital Foundation Trust Board has been advised that beyond Tuesday, August 11 there will be insufficient substantive consultant and medical cover to safely maintain births at North Devon District Hospital.

“This means we cannot guarantee that women would consistently have access to the level of senior medical support during labour they may require.

“For this reason, the Royal Devon has taken the difficult decision to begin planning for the temporary suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital from Tuesday, August 11.

“Between now and then, the Trust will continue to explore every available opportunity to avoid suspending the service, working closely with neighbouring providers, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board and NHS England South West.”

The news of the suspension of services has led to demands from local political figures for the services to be reopened as soon as possible.

Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, the member of parliament for Torridge and Tavistock said: “I am extremely concerned by the short-notice announcement that births at North Devon District Hospital will be temporarily suspended from August 11. This decision will understandably cause significant anxiety and uncertainty for many expectant parents and families throughout Torridge.

“I sincerely hope that, in the days ahead, the Trust can reverse this decision by finding solutions to the shortage of senior (consultant) medical staff that has led to this temporary suspension.

“Following a recent visit to North Devon District Hospital in May, I wrote to the Government highlighting the significant pressures facing the hospital, not least because of its rural geography and the vital importance of maintaining local services. It is essential that this suspension remains strictly temporary and that every effort is made to restore the service as soon as possible.

“I am monitoring the situation closely and I have been assured that the hospital will be contacting all affected expectant parents with due dates beyond the 11th in the coming days.

“For those who are not contacted, or have concerns about their care, I will be happy to raise their case directly with the Trust.”

Nigel Kenneally, the Torridge District Council member for Milton and Tamarside had recent experience of the service on offer at North Devon District Hospital, with it being the location for the latest arrival to his family.

He said: “My partner recently gave birth to our son at North Devon District Hospital. The care on the maternity ward is exceptional and the staff there are second to none. So, I was genuinely shocked when I heard the news that births will temporarily be halted from August 11.

“I'm sure this news will be causing great anxiety and stress for families that have their births planned at the hospital after that date.

People in our rural areas already face a significant drive to get to North Devon District Hospital so the thought of driving even further to Exeter, Plymouth or Treliske is gravely concerning.

“I understand that for every extra mile that a woman in labour has to travel, the risk of complications during birth increases.

“I would urge everyone regardless of political affiliation to sign Ian Roome MP's petition against the closure, so we can let those in the position to rectify this know about the strength of feeling in our communities.”

Concern about the news was also shared in Cornwall, with the hospital also sometimes used by residents in the Bude area as it represents a lesser proximity of travel time compared to alternatives in Exeter, Plymouth or Truro.

Ben Maguire, the member of parliament for North Cornwall said: “Some quite deeply concerning news for families in North Cornwall, as births are set to be temporarily suspended at North Devon District Hospital from August 11.

“I'm working on this alongside my constituency neighbour and colleague, Ian Roome MP, as I know a lot of my own North Cornwall constituents will be affected.

“Patient safety should come first in the face of consultant cover shortages, and it cannot be allowed to become permanent by default.”