Story perspectives

North Devon Maternity Ward Suspended Indefinitely Over Staffing Shortage

8/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Royal Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust suspended North Devon District Hospital’s maternity service indefinitely because of staff shortages, prompting emergency-department doctors to receive a crash course on obstetric emergencies.
Pregnant women must travel over 50 miles, about 1.5 hours, to Exeter for labour, fearing home or layby births.
Council leader Julian Brazil called the closure extremely concerning, prompting the trust to recruit consultants and aim to reopen services quickly while denying cuts.

1 of 1

Story summary

Royal Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust suspended North Devon District Hospital’s maternity service indefinitely because of staff shortages, prompting emergency-department doctors to receive a crash course on obstetric emergencies.
Pregnant women must travel over 50 miles, about 1.5 hours, to Exeter for labour, fearing home or layby births.
Council leader Julian Brazil called the closure extremely concerning, prompting the trust to recruit consultants and aim to reopen services quickly while denying cuts.