NCT comment on delayed re-opening of North Devon maternity unit

“Whilst safety must come first, it is deeply disappointing that women, parents and families who had been looking towards the planned reopening now face further uncertainty.

“This latest delay will be incredibly difficult for women and expectant parents who have already spent months living with uncertainty about where and how they will give birth, facing longer journeys and being further away from their support networks at such an important time in their lives.

“There is a real risk of creating a pattern here, where expectations are raised only to be followed by further disappointment. The suspension of birthing services in North Devon has highlighted just how fragile maternity services can become when workforce pressures persist. For women in North Devon, and indeed in rural communities across the UK, where access to maternity care is already challenging, ongoing uncertainty about local birthing services can have a particularly significant impact.

“Women and parents cannot be left facing ongoing uncertainty about when local services will reopen and whether plans will proceed as expected. They need clear, realistic information they can rely on at a hugely important time in their lives.

“Every effort must now be focused on securing a permanent, safe reopening that people can have confidence in, with the needs of women, babies and families placed at the heart of every decision.”