North Devon maternity services suspended due to staffing shortages

Maternity services at North Devon District Hospital have been suspended due to critical obstetric staffing shortages. The suspension was triggered by unexpected staff absences and the withdrawal of a locum, leaving the Trust unable to guarantee safe 24-hour medical cover.

Devon County Councillor Ed Tyldesley has called for urgent action and a safe route to reopening the services, noting that the hospital is one of the most geographically isolated acute hospitals in England. The Royal Devon University Hospital indicated that staffing concerns have existed for years, despite a formal Business Continuity Plan being agreed upon in October 2025.

The closure has caused significant concern for families in rural Northern Devon, Cornwall, and Exmoor. Residents face much longer journeys to reach consultant-led maternity units, which may impact access to essential medical interventions such as inductions and C-sections.