{"id":70900,"date":"2026-08-07T16:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=70900"},"modified":"2026-08-07T16:35:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:35:16","slug":"special-meeting-held-scrutinise-devon-maternity-units-temporary-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/special-meeting-held-scrutinise-devon-maternity-units-temporary-closure\/","title":{"rendered":"Special meeting held to scrutinise Devon maternity unit\u2019s temporary closure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Concerns about the temporary closure of North Devon District Hospital\u2019s maternity unit will be aired at a special Devon County Council meeting.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Health and Adult Care Committee will meet on Monday, August 17 to discuss the closure, which was announced last week and is due to take effect from Tuesday (August 11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has said the closure is due to \u201ccritical staffing shortages\u201d. It means expectant parents will have to travel to Exeter or Taunton to give birth.<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Committee chair Councillor Jess Bailey said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cThe staffing issues behind this closure have clearly been developing for some time, yet it was announced with little notice. We will seek assurance from the hospital trust that a robust plan is in place to ensure it is reopened as soon possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe unit will have been closed for six days by the time the committee meets, so some of the impacts on families, the safety of new mums and the effectiveness of the trust\u2019s mitigation plans should be understood by then.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Jess Bailey<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n
\r\n\t
\r\n

Council leader Councillor Julian Brazil said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cSome remote parts of North Devon are a two-hour drive from Exeter – and that\u2019s when there is no traffic or road closures.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a council which has put improving the lives of children and families as its top priority, this closure is extremely concerning. It is not a decision which would be countenanced in other parts of the country and we should not accept second-rate NHS provision here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of the Council<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

A number of subject matter experts will be invited to give evidence to the committee, whose role is to scrutinise public health and health services in Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting details can be found on our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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