Pregnant women in North Devon are being given emergency guidance on how to deliver their babies in a car after a local maternity unit was temporarily closed because of staff shortages.
North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple suspended its birthing services on August 11, citing safety concerns linked to a shortage of consultants and registrars. Expectant mothers are now being directed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter, which can be almost two hours away for some families.
Around 300 women who are at least 34 weeks pregnant, as well as those considered high-risk, have reportedly been contacted to discuss alternative arrangements. Maternity triage appointments, which are used to assess mothers and babies when complications are suspected, have also been suspended.
With no date yet confirmed for the return of the “temporary” service, antenatal classes are now including contingency planning for women who may go into labour before reaching hospital.
Catherine Mchomvu, who runs sessions at Devon Antenatal Family Centre CIC in Barnstaple, said couples are being prepared for the possibility of labour progressing rapidly during the journey. This includes discussing when to leave home, dealing with heavy traffic and what to do if the baby is born before they reach hospital.
The sessions also cover practical preparations, such as keeping blankets and towels in the vehicle, carrying enough water and ensuring mobile phones are fully charged. Couples are also shown positions that could help during labour while travelling.
One expectant mother who had planned to give birth at NDDH said her birth-planning appointment focused heavily on ensuring she could reach hospital in time, with her husband being prepared to deliver the baby at the roadside if necessary.
She described the experience as frightening, particularly as she was preparing to become a mother for the first time.
The situation has sparked growing concern among residents and campaigners, with more than 15,000 people signing a petition calling for improved maternity support in North Devon. Local Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome has also warned that babies could end up being delivered in lay-bys because of the disruption.
A local campaign has meanwhile been launched to encourage medical professionals to apply for positions in North Devon, amid reports of anxiety among pregnant women affected by the closure.
The maternity disruption comes against a wider backdrop of concerns over NHS maternity services, following a report published in June by Baroness Valerie Amos which highlighted serious problems within maternity and postnatal care.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said the safety and care of women remained its “absolute priority”. It advised anyone who believes they may be in labour or has concerns about their pregnancy to contact maternity triage immediately.
The trust added that women who believe their baby is about to be born and are not near a hospital should call 999, while updated clinical pathways and additional staff and facilities have been put in place to support births at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in Wonford.
