Pregnant women face dangerous choices as North Devon hospital suspends births

In early August 2026, North Devon district hospital in Barnstaple announced the suspension of birthing services due to unsafe staffing levels. This decision has left expectant mothers in the region facing dire choices, as they must now travel to Exeter or Taunton, both over an hour away, to give birth. The situation is particularly alarming for women with high-risk pregnancies, as the journey could lead to life-threatening complications. Many mothers are expressing their fears about the lack of local maternity care, with some considering temporary accommodation in Exeter to ensure they can reach a hospital in time.

The closure of local birthing services has sparked outrage among the community, with nearly 15,000 people signing a petition initiated by Ian Roome, the local Liberal Democrat MP. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has called for urgent investment in the maternity workforce to address the staffing crisis and ensure safe care for women and families. The situation has been described as utterly dangerous, with expectant mothers voicing concerns about the lack of access to triage services and the potential for having to give birth in cars on congested roads.

Chloe Ross, an expectant mother, highlighted the risks of traveling long distances during labor, especially for those with previous complications. She noted that the loss of local maternity services means women may not receive timely support for issues such as low fetal movement or severe pregnancy sickness. Other mothers, like Hannah, are worried about the possibility of giving birth on the way to the hospital, especially if they lack reliable transportation or financial means to stay in Exeter.

The hospital trust has stated that it is working to recruit more staff, but the immediate impact of the service suspension has left many women feeling abandoned and unsafe. The community is calling for immediate action to restore local maternity services and ensure that expectant mothers can receive the care they need without the added stress of long-distance travel during labor.