Devon health maternity unit closure is ‘a catastrophic failure’

Hundreds of people protested in Barnstaple on Saturday about the temporary closure of the unit, saying they wanted it to be reopened.

Phoebe Hawkins’ premature twins were born in the hospital before they were rushed to Bath because the seven nearest major hospitals were too full.

She said she had called the midwife who had invited her to hospital for reassurance but, on her arrival, she had been found to be in labour.

Hawkins said: “I know personally I wouldn’t have driven all the way to Exeter to have been checked out just for some reassurance.

“I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn’t gone to be seen.”

The twins were born at 28 weeks and the team at Barnstaple administered steroids which saved their lives before their transfer to Bath.

The new mother and twins went on to spend five weeks in the special baby care unit in Barnstaple, which has also been temporarily closed.

“It was a lifeline to us,” she said.

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