What support is available?

Where can I get support if I have any concerns?

We have developed an information pack which brings together a range of advice and information to help you make the right choice for you and your baby.

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.

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 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.

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.

Where can I get support for my mental health?

TALKWORKS is a free and confidential NHS Talking Therapies service. They offer support to 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: https://www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk/parental-support

• Call 0300 555 3344

Where can I get financial support or advice?

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.

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. 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, this can take a week to arrange and is only available in certain circumstances, so if you need urgent support with travel then please use the free taxi service - you can find information here. 

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 Impact Assessment 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 Equality Impact Assessment reflects those impacts that we have captured and mitigated to date. You can read it here.

We will keep the Equality Impact Assessment 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 for getting to hospital for appointments and birth. In addition, we have worked in partnership with NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide support towards transport and accommodation for women and birthing people and their partners. This pack contains all of the information and signposting to the support available: https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/maternity-and-obstetrics/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/information-pack-for-women-birthing-people-and-families-in-northern-devon/.