Expectant mums say Devon maternity unit closure is ‘stressful’

Committee chair Jess Bailey said staffing issues at North Devon had “clearly been developing for some time, yet it was announced with little notice”.

She said: “We will seek assurance from the hospital trust that a robust plan is in place to ensure it is reopened as soon possible.”

Hill-Meldrum said, despite being contacted when the hospital announced the unit’s closure, neither the hospital nor the midwives had much information.

She said she had more information and it had helped with her anxieties, but still felt “a little bit uncertain”.

The Royal Devon trust said more than 300 women who were 34 weeks pregnant or more, as well as those identified as vulnerable or clinically high risk, had been contacted.

It added other services including scans and antenatal outpatient clinics would remain in Barnstaple.

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