A special task force is to be established in Northern Devon to address the sustainability of public services in its communities.
It follows the latest update on the ongoing suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital, heard today (Thursday 24 September) at Devon County Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Committee.
Councillors were told of the impact of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Devon) decision, which came into effect on Tuesday 11 August.
The Royal Devon had hoped to reopen maternity services by Tuesday 29 September. However, it has had to delay the reopening as the service is still not fully staffed. It could not currently commit to another date, but it remains committed to reopening the services as soon as possible. It’s continuing its recruitment for consultants throughout the UK and overseas.
Councillor Jess Bailey, Chair of the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee, said:
“The reason we’re holding this meeting is because we recognise how important it is to safely restore birthing services at North Devon District Hospital. We’re doing everything we can as a committee to hold our partners to account, and I would like to thank hospital staff who are continuing to work under pressure.”
NHS leaders at the meeting said they were treating the issue extremely seriously and they repeated their previous commitment to the safe reopening of the service as soon as possible. They also stated their commitment to share fortnightly updates on the readiness of the service as they prepare to reopen.
A report before the committee stated that since the start of the closure to Tuesday 15 September there had been 106 births. Fewer than five births have taken place outside labour and delivery environments, but there was a healthcare professional present at all births.
The committee thanked the women who shared their experiences and evidence with the committee, adding that the voices of families and women remain central to the restoration and future sustainability of maternity services in North Devon. It also expressed strong disappointment at the lack of response from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Councillors agreed:
- to write again to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, including the Prime Minister, seeking an urgent meeting and response to initial requests for support
- for Devon County Council, NHS Devon, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other partners to work together to establish a Northern Devon Task Force to develop practical solutions to deliver sustainable services in Northern Devon’s communities
- work with Royal Devon and NHS Devon ICB to review and update the Business Continuity Plan
- that the Royal Devon and NHS Devon ICB provide the committee with a detailed reopening plan for maternity services
- stablish a Standing Overview Group to scrutinise the approach and progress to wards safe and sustainable reopening of maternity services at RDUH
- ask that the NHS Devon ICB provide additional funding to the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to enable it to continue representing the voices of women and families
The committee also reiterated its recommendation for regular updates from the Royal Devon and NHS Devon ICB and for a review of lessons learned. NHS Devon ICB will also engage all trusts across the South West peninsula to feed into a report on fragile services, setting out what is needed to ensure responsive and resilient services in the peninsula.