National maternity closure comments are “incredibly worrying” says North Devon MP
As reaction continues to national news yesterday that a senior NHS figure recommended closing ‘smaller’ maternity units such as Barnstaple, North Devon’s MP says rural communities “cannot become an afterthought”
Comments made by a national NHS boss that smaller maternity units such as Barnstaple should close have been described as “incredibly worrying” by North Devon MP Ian Roome.
It follows national and local coverage yesterday (Monday, October 19) of a recommendation made by Matthew Hopkins, director of acute care for the NHS Alliance, which represents NHS trusts nationwide.
Mr Hopkins said 20 units that are difficult to staff and have fewer than 2,000 births a year – which would include Barnstaple – should close and the services be ‘centralised’ in larger hospitals.
In a statement for the North Devon Gazette, Mr Roome said: “These are incredibly worrying comments for rural communities like ours, which too often seem to be the first to lose out.
“It’s all very well looking at the numbers on a spreadsheet, but these are real communities and real families.”
We contacted the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Barnstaple and Exeter hospitals, for reaction to the comments and a spokesperson reiterated “we continue to make every possible effort to restore births at North Devon District Hospital as soon as it is safe to do so.” You can read the full trust statement below.
Mr Roome, who has campaigned extensively for the Ladywell Unit in Barnstaple to reopen as soon as possible following its temporary closure on August 11, added: “North Devon District Hospital is the most remote acute hospital on mainland England, and around 200 women have already been forced to travel up to two hours to give birth in Exeter instead of Barnstaple.
“I wouldn’t wish what North Devon families have been through on anyone. We cannot let rural communities become an afterthought.”
In its full statement, the trust said: “We welcome the national debate about how to ensure maternity care is safe and that women can access the specialist care they need.
“Patient safety must always come first and it is right that the NHS considers how services can be made safe and sustainable for the future.
“Any future models of care must reflect local geography, travel times and the needs of our communities, as well as the clinical and workforce requirements for a safe and sustainable service.
“We continue to make every possible effort to restore births at North Devon District Hospital as soon as it is safe to do so. We are working with regional and national partners to ensure the resilient specialist workforce and clinical support needed to provide a safe, sustainable service for women, birthing people and families in North Devon.”
The Ladywell Unit closed due to a lack of senior doctors and consultants and difficulty recruiting more. While it appears the recruitment process may now be on track, the trust has said it will review the situation and give a further update on Monday (October 26).