Meeting on maternity services suspension

Health bosses responsible for running maternity services in Devon have been questioned about the ongoing suspension of the service.

The maternity unit at North Devon District Hospital has been closed since 11 August due to staffing problems.

Simon Higginson, chief executive of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said the Trust had been trying to recruit new staff since late 2025.

The trust had hoped to reopen maternity services by Tuesday 29 September however this has been delayed as the service is still not fully staffed.

At the meeting councillor Jess Bailey, chairwoman of Devon County Council's Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee expressed her disappointment that Yvette Cooper, the secretary of state for health, had not responded to two letters written to her about the temporary suspension of maternity services in North Devon.

She said: "It's so very important for the women and families of North Devon that I'm disappointed that she hasn't responded, I think she should make it an absolute top priority."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the situation was "unacceptable" and it expected the situation to resolved as soon as possible."

Higginson said it was his "absolute priority" to reopen the unit as quickly as possible but that it "has to be done safely".

"Two locum (consultants) have recently left which is why they couldn't reopen on the 29th (September)", he said, adding that locum staff could leave giving just one week's notice.

Dr Vanessa Purday, chief medical officer for the Trust, said the problem of recruitment was partly down to a national shortage of obstetricians.

She admitted that offering a £50,000 "recruitment premium" has had "limited success".

Councillors were critical that this "enhanced" remuneration package had only been offered since July and suggested it could be improved.

Higginson said job adverts were being reviewed to ensure they were competitive.

Purday added that two overseas staff had just joined and the Trust was focusing on a recruitment search for people from New Zealand and Australia.

She said: "We fully recognise the fear and anxiety the temporary suspension continues to create for families in our community."

A report before the committee stated that there had been 106 births since the start of the closure and 15 September.

Fewer than five births have taken place outside labour and delivery environments, but there was a healthcare professional present at all births.

Purday added: "Our number one priority is to reopen these services as soon as possible and we are conducting a reopening 'readiness assessment' every two weeks."

The council said as a result of the meeting, it was agreed that Devon County Council, NHS Devon, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other partners should work together to establish a Northern Devon Task Force to develop practical solutions to deliver sustainable services in northern Devon's communities.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The situation in North Devon in recent weeks has been unacceptable, and our thoughts are with all those women and their families that have suffered unnecessary distress and concern at a crucial time because of the temporary closure of services at North Devon District Hospital.

"As the prime minister told the House of Commons earlier this month, we expect this situation to be resolved as soon as possible, and the health secretary has been in regular contact with the chief executive of NHS England towards that end."

They added: "In the meantime, the local Trust is required to have clear plans in place to ensure mothers and babies are supported and kept safe during this temporary closure."

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