NDDH birth services temporary changes
Temporary suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital from Tuesday 11 August
Despite extensive efforts to maintain services, births at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) have been temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 August 2026. The difficult decision to suspend birthing services has been taken on safety grounds because there is insufficient consultant and registrar cover. We believe concentrating births in locations where safe medical cover can be guaranteed is the safest option for women, birthing people and their babies.
The temporary suspension affects birthing services, face to face triage and special care baby unit only. Other services including community midwifery, scans, birth planning, ultrasound clinics and antenatal outpatient clinics remain open for women and birthing people in Northern Devon.
In preparation for the suspension of birthing services, the Trust has contacted over 300 women and birthing people who are 34 weeks pregnant or more, as well as those identified as vulnerable or clinically high risk, to discuss their individual circumstances, care plans and the travel and transport support available.
A dedicated helpline for pregnant women and birthing people is available – 01271 335773, (9am-5pm, Monday – Friday) and the maternity triage line is available 24/7 for those who require urgent medical advice – 01392 406616. In addition an information pack for women, birthing partners and families in Northern Devon has been produced alongside a set of frequently asked questions. Find out more.
Alongside managing the temporary suspension, the Trust has already established a dedicated reopening programme, focused on recruitment, workforce planning and service resilience to enable a safe return of births to North Devon.
Below is a video which answers some of the most frequent questions we are being asked since the temporary suspension of birthing services was announced.
Here is a video published that the time we made the announcement regarding the temporary suspension of birthing services.