The call comes after Matthew Hopkins, Director of Acute Care for the NHS Alliance, suggested that maternity services should be centralised, leading to the potential closure of units with fewer than 2,000 births annually, particularly in rural and coastal areas like Barnstaple.
Barnstaple's maternity unit has been non-operational since August 11 due to staff shortages, forcing 194 mothers from North Devon to travel up to two hours to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to give birth.
County Councillor Jess Bailey, Chair of Devon County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, expressed dismay at the proposal. "I am appalled that closing smaller units including Barnstaple is now on the agenda being put forward by NHS bosses," she stated. She highlighted the 'terrible impact' on women travelling long distances and argued that 'proper funding is the solution' to staffing difficulties, asserting women's right to give birth safely close to home.
Councillor Bailey also criticised the Health Secretary's silence on the matter, stating, "I am also totally unimpressed by the silence from the Health Secretary to our three letters requesting she steps in immediately to reopen the unit." She urged Yvette Cooper to not only reopen the unit within days but also assure women it will remain staffed for years to come.
Devon County Council Leader Julian Brazil criticised the approach, suggesting health policy is being driven by 'bean counters' rather than community needs. He argued that consultants should be travelling to Barnstaple, not expectant mothers on 'dangerous roads'. He called the centralisation argument 'lazy' and failing rural communities, urging the Prime Minister to uphold promises of serving 'every postcode in the UK'.
A significant national report on the future of maternity services across the UK is expected to be published in December.
