Which services are changing?
What services will no longer be available at North Devon District Hospital?
From Tuesday 11 August, there will be no services at North Devon District Hospital for people to:
Give birth
Have a C-section
Be induced
Attend Triage or Day Assessment Unit
Anyone who goes into spontaneous labour after Sunday 9 August will go to a different hospital, for example Exeter.
If your C-section or planned induction is scheduled for later than Friday 7 August, then this will now take place at a different hospital as arranged with your midwife.
What services will still be available at North Devon District Hospital?
You can still attend North Devon District Hospital from Tuesday 11 August for:
12-week dating scans
20-week anomaly scans
Growth scans
Routine midwife appointments
Glucose Tolerance Test appointments
We have set up a support helpline 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.
Our triage phone line is not affected and is still available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01392 406616. This line provides emergency care and advice to families, midwives and GPs in all areas of antenatal, labour and postnatal care.
How will the other hospitals manage with the increase in births?
Based on an average number of births per day, both Exeter and Taunton feel able to absorb this demand. NDDH staff will be redeployed to Exeter to support the increased demand.
Has the impact on ambulance services been considered?
Yes, we are working in partnership with SWAST who have been integral to all our decisions to ensure clear pathways are in place for time critical obstetric emergencies.
Will the Special Care Baby Unit at NDDH remain open after Tuesday 11 August?
No. NDDH will continue to provide enhanced transitional care for babies who require additional support but do not need SCBU or neonatal unit-level care. This will be provided in Exeter and where appropriate, mothers and babies will be relocated closer to home in North Devon as early as it is safe to do so.