Information pack for women, birthing people and families in Northern Devon
Temporary suspension of birth services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH)
For urgent help – maternity triage line
Call our 24-hour maternity triage line immediately on 01392 406616 if:
You think you may be in labour
Your baby is moving less than usual, their movements are weaker, or if there is a change to their usual pattern of movements
You have bleeding
You feel unwell
You have pain or symptoms that worry you
You have concerns about your pregnancy
You need urgent advice
Please do not wait. The line is open 24/7.
Please do not worry that you are bothering us. We would much rather you call.
If you think you are in labour, we advise that you call us earlier rather than later.
If you are travelling to hospital and you feel your labour is progressing rapidly but you are not near the hospital, please call 999.
For non-urgent advice about your maternity care during the temporary suspension
For non-urgent advice about your pregnancy and care, please talk to your community midwife team as usual.
For information and advice about the temporary suspension, please call the dedicated support helpline on 01271 335773. It is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside these hours, you can leave your contact details and request a call back.
What is happening
As of 11 August, births, special baby care and triage at North Devon District Hospital have been temporarily suspended due to the unavailability of medical cover.
We know this news may feel worrying and unsettling, especially if you had planned to give birth at NDDH. We are really sorry for the anxiety and uncertainty this may cause you and your family.
Subject to having the right staff and safety criteria in place, we are now working towards a proposed reopening date of Tuesday 29 September.
We have made positive progress in recruiting the medical staff needed to provide the safe levels of medical care that women, birthing people and their babies need. A final review and formal decision to confirm reopening will take place two weeks beforehand. The aim of this timetable is to ensure we give you clear and reliable information about where you can give birth.
Until Tuesday 29 September the temporary suspension is still in place. Women and birthing people should continue to follow their current personalised birth plans and continue to contact maternity triage on 01392 406616 early if they think they may be in labour or have urgent concerns.
This pack brings together all the information people will need through their pregnancy whilst the unit remains closed to births.
Our immediate commitment is to provide clear information, personalised support and a safe plan for you and your baby's care during this change.
Together, we will agree a safe and practical birth plan that takes account of your pregnancy, your clinical needs, your family circumstances, travel, childcare, access needs and emotional wellbeing.
If something is worrying you, please tell us - we want to know.
For updates and useful information
Contents
What this means for you
You can discuss what these changes mean for you with your community midwife.
You will have an individual birth planning conversation at approximately 34 weeks. We will support you to develop a plan which best suits your circumstances, medical needs, birth preferences, support arrangements, access needs and emotional wellbeing.
We will signpost you to support and resources.
Alternative Royal Devon hospitals that you may choose for your birth, in discussion with your midwife, are the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) and, in a very small number of cases, Tiverton Community Hospital.
We are unable to provide a home birth service in North Devon during the temporary suspension. This is because safe home birth provision requires access to medical support should an emergency arise.
We are making sure we have both the staff and physical space available to support more women, birthing people and families at the RD&E. Many of our staff who work in North Devon will be coming to Exeter to provide care to people from North Devon and to support their Exeter colleagues.
You will still be able to have antenatal, community midwifery, routine monitoring, maternity advice and postnatal care in northern Devon and north-east Cornwall.
You may wish to choose a different hospital for your birth that is run by a different Trust. If so, you may need to have your antenatal care at that hospital as well.
Your routine birth planning conversation (at approximately 34 weeks)
The conversation with your midwife may cover:
your due date and pregnancy history
any medical or pregnancy-related needs
your previous birth experiences, if relevant
where you had hoped to give birth
the safest recommended place of birth for you now
what to do if labour starts early
when to call our maternity triage line
accessibility or mobility needs
emotional wellbeing and anxiety
any information you need
We will encourage you to think about:
how you will travel
what happens if transport is disrupted or roads are closed
childcare or caring responsibilities
who your birth partner will be
whether your birth partner needs accommodation. Please note that partners are welcome to stay in the hospital with you in the antenatal and postnatal period.
any financial worries
If you think you will face any barriers to you being able to get to another hospital this leaflet contains all of the places you can access financial and practical support. Please also discuss these barriers with your midwife.
At the end of these conversations, you should feel comfortable with where you are planning to give birth, who to call, what to do when labour starts, and what support you can access.
It's OK to ask for help
Need extra help? Please tell us.
It is completely understandable to feel anxious, upset or uncertain. A change to your birth plans can feel very personal, and you may have questions about what this means for you and your family.
If you have questions about the temporary suspension and would like to speak to someone sooner than your next community midwife appointment, please contact the dedicated helpline on 01271 335773. A senior midwife will arrange to call you back. The helpline is for non-urgent queries and is available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
If you need urgent help, call our 24/7 maternity triage line on 01392 406616.
Mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free and confidential NHS Talking Therapies service, here to help new and expectant parents aged 18 and over across Devon (excluding Plymouth) struggling with a common mental health problem.
This includes low mood, anxiety, stress and problems with sleep. You can self-refer without visiting your GP:
Online self-referral form www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk/parental-support
What services will still be available in Northern Devon?
The temporary suspension relates to labour (including induction of labour and C-sections) and birth services, neonatal care and maternity triage only.
The following services are continuing as normal in North Devon:
Antenatal appointments
Community midwifery services
Routine pregnancy monitoring
Scanning services
Infant feeding support
Pre-op appointments (prior to C-section)
Maternity advice services
Maternity triage line 01392 406616
Some non-urgent postnatal services for babies, including jaundice checks and baby weighing
Gynaecology services
Please continue to attend all appointments and contact your midwife as usual.
In addition to the services that are still available in North Devon and the existing postnatal care we offer, we have set up a new Newborn Outpatient Clinic in North Devon. This clinic is designed to support you and your baby once you come back to North Devon with non-urgent postnatal issues, jaundice checks and infant feeding support. Your community midwife may refer you, or you can call 01271 322614 between 8am - 4pm.
Travel, accommodation, financial and practical support
We do not want anyone to worry about how they will afford to travel to receive the maternity care they need. If you are concerned about travel, parking, accommodation, or other related costs, please speak to your midwife. Additional help is available, and we encourage you to discuss any concerns as early as possible so that we can explore the support options available to you.
Support appointments available
We have set up special appointments to give you the opportunity to talk about travel costs, transport and accommodation support in more detail. Please speak to your community midwife at your next appointment if you would welcome one of these appointments.
Free taxi support
We have worked with Devon County Council and NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) to arrange free-of-charge taxi transport if the maternity triage has advised you that you need to travel to hospital and you don’t have access to your own transport.
Please ask your community midwife for more information including the code to quote that ensures the NHS covers the cost. A list of participating taxi companies is at the end of this web page.
One adult supporter can travel with you, up to two if you are in labour.
The hospital can arrange another free taxi home if needed.
Please contact maternity triage again 01392 406616 if there are any changes in your health whilst waiting for the taxi or whilst travelling to hospital, if you have any new concerns, or can’t get a taxi.
Support with travel costs
If you are using your own car or travelling on public transport and are in receipt of qualifying benefits, then you may be able to claim a refund towards reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
Additional travel and accommodation support
If you are facing challenges in accessing your healthcare and need additional support towards travel and accommodation costs, then please email rduh.ccsupport@nhs.net. (Email address should only be used for this purpose. Emails will only be monitored within office hours). The Trust may be able to issue a Personal Health Budget card. You will be invited for a face-to-face appointment to explore this further with you.
Please note, Personal Health Budget cards take about a week to arrange and are only available in certain circumstances, so if you need urgent support with travel then please use the free taxi service as detailed above.
Other existing support
Community transport can help when public transport is limited, journeys are difficult, or extra support is needed to reach health appointments. Options vary locally and often need booking in advance, so check early. Use the Devon County Council community transport pages to find current local options and contact details.
The Devon Access Wallet scheme helps make bus and train journeys easier for people who may need extra communication support. It can help people with communication difficulties, disabled people, deaf people, and people whose first language is not English. Go to the website or call 01392 382123.
If you are on one of the qualifying benefits, then you may be able to claim a refund towards reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
The Crisis and Resilience Fund may be able to help if you are experiencing a sudden financial emergency or unexpected essential cost. Eligibility depends on your local council area. Find out more and apply through North Devon Council or Torridge District Council depending on where you live.
Free confidential advice about benefits and money is available from Citizens Advice. Call the Adviceline on 0808 27 87 999 or drop into the local office (1 - 3 Bridge Buildings, The Strand, Barnstaple, EX32 8LW) Wednesday and Friday 10am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 3pm.
Turn2us is a national charity that provides information and support about benefits and grants.
Devon Family Hubs bring local services together so families can find support in one place. They can advise on pregnancy, parenting, health, money, housing, relationships, and wellbeing. Many types of support do not need a professional referral. You can call the information line (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm) on 0800 538 5458 or go the website to find out more.
If additional support is required, our midwives will be able to signpost you to financial support to overcome the difficulties generated by this temporary suspension.
Our reopening plan
Our commitment: This is a temporary suspension, not a permanent closure.
Subject to meeting essential safety criteria, we are now able to confirm a proposed reopening date of Tuesday 29 September.
We have made positive progress in recruiting the medical staff needed to support the reopening of the service. This provisional date for reopening is dependent on achieving finals check of the staffing rotas, the skill mix needed across the clinical team, and achieving all essential safety criteria.
A final review and formal decision to confirm reopening will take place two weeks beforehand, on Monday 14 September. The aim of this timetable is to ensure we give women and birthing people clear and reliable information about where they can give birth.
In the meantime, the current temporary suspension remains in place. Women and birthing people should continue to follow their current personalised birth plans and continue to contact maternity triage on 01392 406616 early if they think they may be in labour or have urgent concerns.
Further updates will be shared as reopening plans develop, and details on the transition of services back to NDDH will be provided as soon as they are available.
While work continues to restore births at NDDH safely, our focus is on making sure every affected woman has:
a clear route into maternity advice
an individual birth plan
a safe place to give birth
a transport and access plan
support with practical barriers
clear advice about what to do in urgent situations
How we created this information pack
We have listened to what people are most worried about and have put all the information together in one place. Hopefully you are finding it helpful.
We will keep refreshing the information and responding to what you are most worried about.
We are grateful to all of you who are making sure that your pregnant friends, colleagues and family members are fully informed. Please contact rduh.engagement@nhs.net if you feel anything is missing.
Thank you to the Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership for their help.
Key contact details
Maternity triage line for urgent concerns - 01392 406616
Any woman, birthing person or family member who needs urgent advice should call our maternity triage line as usual - at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Non-urgent helpline about temporary suspension - 01271 335773
For non-urgent enquiries about the temporary suspension from pregnant women, birthing people and their partners.
It is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Outside these hours, you can leave your contact details and request a call back.
Feedback
People can also share feedback with Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) by emailing info@devonmaternityvoices.org.uk
Other ways of contacting the Trust
Find the best place to submit any other enquiries or feedback on our website's contact page.
Taxi companies participating in transport scheme
You must provide a code to the taxi company to ensure you are not charged for the journey. Ask your midwife for the code.
Barnstaple
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Flyby Cabs – 07719 759674
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Saunton Taxis – 07886 805373
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
All Area Taxis – 01237 470211
Amber Taxi – 07767 760746
Rayz Taxi – 07392 769325
Bideford
All Area Taxis – 01237 470211
Quay Cars Ltd – 07977 490747
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Flyby Cabs – 07719 759674
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
Lee Robertson – 07968 728354
Rayz Taxi – 07392 769325
Braunton
Saunton Taxis – 07886 805373
A Taxi – 07375 322971
Amber Taxi – 07767 760746
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Flyby Cabs – 07719 759674
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
Rayz Taxi – 07392 769325
Bude
Lee Robertson – 07968 728354
A B Taxis & Minibus Hire Ltd – 07966 582146
Chulmleigh
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
Holsworthy
Parkers Cars – 07794 637143
All Area Taxis – 01237 470211
A B Taxis & Minibus Hire Ltd – 07966 582146
Ilfracombe
A Taxi – 07375 322971
Sure Taxis Ltd – 07496 099151
Amber Taxi – 07767 760746
Saunton Taxis – 07886 805373
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
Lynton & Lynmouth
A Taxi – 07375 322971
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
South Molton
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Mr Taxi – 07734 935724
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
Torrington
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
All Area Taxis – 01237 470211
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Number 4 Taxi Ltd – 07466 342343
Rayz Taxi – 07392 769325
Winkleigh
Halfpenny Yard Ltd – 07768 204741
All Area Taxis – 01237 470211
Just Taxi – 07939 057787
Rayz Taxi – 07392 769325
Exeter
Alom Hussain – 07595 741787
Naz Taxi – 07480 409463
Aman's Taxi – 07722 011017
AA Transfers – 07857 186219
NB: Taxis based in Exeter will take longer to reach a North Devon address for collection, they should only be used if other more local services are unavailable.