Full Breakdown
North Devon Hospital Maternity Unit Remains Closed Amid Staffing Shortfall
By Drooid · · How we work
Ongoing Suspension of Birthing Services
Birthing services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple have been suspended since August 11 because the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust could not meet required staffing levels. Pregnant women from the Barnstaple area must travel 53 miles (85 km) to Exeter for delivery. A provisional reopening had been set for September 29, but the trust announced that the unit was not ready to reopen and has not set a new date. An additional assessment is scheduled for September 28, with follow-up reviews every two weeks. Trust officials indicated that the next realistic reopening window could be mid-October.
Staffing Shortages and Recruitment Efforts
The trust reported that, despite a national recruitment campaign and exploration of international hiring, it has not secured enough consultants and registrars to satisfy safety thresholds. On-boarding checks for newly hired doctors remain incomplete, further delaying the ability to staff the unit safely.
Official Statements & Responses
The trust affirmed its commitment to maintaining maternity services at NDDH and emphasized that any reopening must be “safe” for patients and staff. Dr Vanessa Purdy, the trust’s chief medical officer, described the situation as “deeply disappointing” and noted that while progress has been made in recruiting, the unit remains short of the required number of doctors. She stressed that the September 29 target was always conditional on final staffing and safety assurances.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We also need to make sure that for those doctors who have joined us are able to complete all the on-boarding checks that we need to do to make sure that they can meet the requirements of the role.” — Purday, the trust's chief medical officer
- “We remain fully committed to reopening the service and will continue to be open and transparent about our progress, the challenges we face and the steps we're taking to address them.” — Siobhan Strode
- “Roome said: "Nearly 100 women have been redirected to Exeter to give birth and this is unacceptable.” — Ian Roome
- “Patients and families cannot be left in limbo indefinitely like this,” — Lib Dem Ben Maguire
