Support and staying informed
Where can I get support if I have any concerns?
We have set up a support helpline for pregnant women and birthing people and their families on 01271 335773. This is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside of these hours you can leave contact details for a call back.
Please do not use our triage helpline for general enquiries. Any women, birthing person or family member who needs urgent medical advice should call our maternity triage line as usual - at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01392 406616. Please don't wait to call triage at any time if you are worried about you or your baby.
You can also share feedback with Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) by emailing info@devonmaternityvoices.org.uk
Where can I find the latest information for pregnant women and birthing people?
Our immediate commitment is to provide clear information, personalised support and a safe plan for you and your baby's care during this change.
To help we have developed a new information pack which brings together a range of advice and information to help you make the right choice for you and your baby.
Where can I find out more information about maternity services in Exeter?
Find more details about our Eastern Maternity services on our website. We also have information on getting to and parking at the Centre for Women's Health, and a video walkthrough that takes you through the building.
How are you keeping patients updated?
We have spoken to over 300 pregnant women and birthing people, who are 34+ weeks pregnant, high risk or vulnerable, to discuss their plan and help them understand their options. If you have not received a call, please speak to your community midwife who can discuss your options.
We are mindful that many of our families live far away from North Devon District Hospital, and we will discuss with you how we can best support you - this will either be on the phone when we call you or at your next routine midwife appointment.
What support is available for partners and family members?
Lots of the support and information on this page is intended to support family members and partners as well.
Patients are welcome to bring their own mobile phone or tablet with them to keep in touch with family. There is patient wi-fi available. Please be mindful of the privacy and dignity of other patients when using video calls in shared areas.
Support available from TALKWORKS
TALKWORKS is a free and confidential NHS Talking Therapies service, here to help new and expectant parents, age 18+, across Devon (excluding Plymouth) struggling with a common mental health problem. This includes low mood, anxiety, stress and problems with sleep. Self-refer without visiting your GP through the online self-referral form on the TALKWORKS website or by calling 0300 555 3344.
Where can I get financial support or advice?
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 where you live.
Free confidential advice about benefits and money is available from Citizens Advice. Call the Adviceline (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.
Go to our travel page for more information about support with travel costs.
Devon Family Hubs
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.
What is the Trust doing to minimise the impact on vulnerable families, including those facing transport, financial or childcare barriers?
We recognise that there will be additional impacts on people who might have been able to get to NDDH but who will experience significant travel and financial barriers getting to Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton or Truro (the main alternative hospitals).
We have completed a comprehensive Equality Quality Impact Assessment (EQIA) and welcomed contributions from all our partners, including the ambulance service.
The assessment of impact has been gathered from the extensive engagement and conversations with the pregnant women and birthing people to discuss the support they need to reach another hospital. These conversations helped us design the mitigations in place which include:
An additional helpline
Financial, transport and accommodation support
Revised clinical transfer guidelines for SWAST
Much earlier call-in for women and birthing people reporting they are going into labour
Northern maternity staff supporting RD&E
More space at RD&E created to accommodate additional patient numbers and that women may need to travel earlier in their labour and spend more of the time in labour in the unit
The Trust recognises the significant impact this decision will have on families across Northern Devon and the EQIA reflects those impacts that we have captured and mitigated to date.
We will keep the EQIA under continual review to make sure that we support pregnant and birthing people in Northern Devon for the duration of this temporary suspension.
There is already a great deal of support for women and birthing people during pregnancy to support travel expenses of getting to hospital for appointments and birth. This pack contains all of the information and signposting to that existing and additional support: https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/maternity-and-obstetrics/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/information-pack-for-women-birthing-people-and-families-in-northern-devon/
NHS Devon ICB has set aside funds for transport and accommodation support for women and their birthing partners, if needed, to avoid financial hardship from this decision. Our midwives will be able to signpost patients to this.