News

We celebrated the dedication and achievements of our staff and volunteers at this year’s Extraordinary People Awards, held at Sandy Park in Exeter on Friday 2 October 2026.

The annual awards provide an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution made by colleagues and vo…

On Wednesday 30 September, we held our formal Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) and a talk on how we are using virtual wards at the Royal Devon and why they are so important for our future.

It was fantastic to see lots of members of the public, staff, and governors, both in the room a…

We are committed to keeping women, birthing people, families and our communities informed about the temporary suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).

To provide the very latest information following our regular readiness assessments, we will now p…

Eligible members of the public can get their flu vaccination from today, Thursday 1 October.

The best time to get vaccinated is well before winter illnesses peak, and the Trust is encouraging everyone to get their #JabDone early.

Vanessa Purday, Chief Medical Officer at the Royal D…

Dame Shan Morgan, Chair of Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has announced her intention to step down in March 2027.

Over the last five years, Shan has supported the organisation through a period of significant change and development, overseeing progress agai…

Today we attended a second meeting of Devon County Council's Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee, alongside partners, regarding the temporary suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital.

We welcome the Committee’s scrutiny and questions today, and would l…

A cutting-edge study that is the first of its kind globally has launched at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, supported by the University of Exeter and the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The CHORUS study is exploring treatment for …

The Royal Devon has welcomed the findings of the latest CQC inspection of Mardon Neuro-rehabilitation Centre, which has confirmed the service continues to be rated Good overall, with an Outstanding rating for Caring.

The specialist inpatient service supports people recovering fr…

We are inviting you to take part in an important piece of work to help improve accessibility across healthcare services in Devon. Following recent work with the Deaf community, this engagement builds on a wider programme of accessibility engagement we are undertaking to ensure ou…

We know the continued suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital is causing worry and uncertainty for women, birthing people and families across North Devon.

We are sorry that the service has not yet been able to reopen. Today's update explains the current po…

A young artist’s beach-inspired artwork is helping welcome research participants to the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Partnering with Exeter College, the Trust commissioned students aged 17 and 18 from its Art and Design faculty to create original pieces …

We made good progress last year in a challenging context, and there is a lot we should all be proud of.

Every year, we take a look back at our performance and achievements and produce our formal annual report and accounts. To read more about the achievements behind the numbers, ou…

Today is World Patient Safety Day, a global campaign run by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness and unite people in reducing preventable harm in healthcare.

This year’s theme is safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs include cancer, diabetes, heart…

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that birthing services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) will not reopen on Tuesday 29 September as previously anticipated.

Despite extensive efforts on a national recruitment campaign, an assessment of…

Did you know that vaccine research helps protect our local population?

By taking part in vaccine research trials, you can help us reach more people and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.

We are launching two new vaccine research trials: one looking at a combine…

We know many women, birthing people and families continue to have questions about the temporary changes to birth services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).

Last week, we announced that we are working towards a proposed reopening date of Tuesday 29 September.

Before this ca…

All are welcome to come along to our Annual Members’ Meeting and hear more about how our Acute Hospital at Home service is delivering more care at home, or a neighbourhood setting, helping patients receive care in the most appropriate environment while ensuring hospital services …

Last week we were honoured to welcome Lord Mayor of Exeter Gemma Rolstone to the RD&E (Wonford). The Lord Mayor met with colleagues in the Emergency Department and Chief Executive Officer Sam Higginson.

The visit was planned in recognition of 999 Emergency Day on 9 September, …

We are working towards reopening birthing services at North Devon District Hospital on Tuesday 29 September, subject to final checks and all essential safety criteria being met.

We have made positive progress in recruiting the medical staff needed to support the service. Following…

The results of the 2025 Adult Inpatient survey are in, and the Royal Devon has scored in-line with the national average, receiving positive feedback for respectful and compassionate care.

Participants highlighted their confidence in the doctors and nurses treating them, and their …

Delivering on our commitment to reopen birthing services at North Devon District Hospital we are able to confirm, subject to meeting essential safety criteria, a proposed reopening date of Tuesday 29 September.

We have made positive progress in recruiting the medical staff needed …

From today (1 September 2026) pregnant women are eligible for their free winter flu vaccination.

It’s also a good time for them to get their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations, if they haven’t had them already.

Some women may also be eligi…

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has appointed Professor David Strain as its new Chief Medical Advisor.

Professor Strain, an honorary consultant at the Royal Devon and Associate Professor of Cardiometabolic Health at the University of Exeter Medical School, will take up …

A Board briefing took place this morning to discuss progress towards safely reopening birthing services at North Devon District Hospital. The Board acknowledged the determination to restore birthing services as quickly as possible.

The briefing clearly demonstrated the solid pro…

People across Devon are invited to find out more and help shape the delivery of neighbourhood health across the county.

The national vision for neighbourhood health, set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England and national Neighbourhood health framework, is to bring together GP…

There has been widespread media coverage this week reporting that pregnant women and birthing people are being offered classes on how to give birth in a car during the temporary suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital.

The Royal Devon is not providing advi…

We know the temporary suspension of birth services at North Devon District Hospital is causing concern for women, birthing people, families and the wider community. While births are temporarily taking place in Exeter, community maternity services continue in North Devon, and arra…

Ever wondered how scientists help diagnose illnesses, identify infections and unlock the secrets hidden within our DNA?

Join the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for an exciting, detective-themed careers event packed with hands-on activities, immersive techno…

We know how important local maternity services are to families across Northern Devon and neighbouring communities. We continue to listen carefully to concerns about the temporary suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).

We want to make sure that wom…

Research led by experts at the Royal Devon and the University of Exeter could help identify hidden type 1 diabetes in young people referred for specialist genetic testing.

Incorporating a genetic risk score into standard testing for a genetic form of diabetes which affects young p…

We’re delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s Extraordinary People Awards.

Our judging panels had the difficult task of selecting the finalists from more than 350 nominations. The incredible number of nominations is a testament to the dedication, compassion and hard wo…

Projects tackling delays in diagnosis, using digital tools to support patients with cancer and use AI to improve care have earned Royal Devon teams national recognition at the 2026 HSJ Awards. 

The shortlisted projects span three categories, showing the different ways, collea…

The NHS national booking service opened on Monday 17 August, for pre-booking flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as we head towards winter.

Residents in the South West who are eligible for flu or COVID-19 vaccinations are being encouraged to tick one thing off their to do list early thi…

In this month’s behind the scenes, we caught up with our Patient Experience Team.

Here, the team shares more about how they work with services to improve the things that matter to patients, carers and families, and how your feedback helps us to continually improve, by celebrating…

The Royal Devon is reviewing its equality objectives to ensure they reflect the needs, experiences, and priorities of our diverse workforce, patients, and communities.

This provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share their views, help shape our objectives, and ensure our app…

This month marks a significant milestone for both our RD&E (Wonford) discharge lounge and the discharge hub at NDDH. Our discharge lounge has now been open for five years, and we’ve seen some amazing results for patients during that time.

Our discharge facilities provide a com…

Results for the 2025 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) have been released, with the Royal Devon ranked 11th equal with Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and coming out on top for the wider South West Peninsula.

1,525 patients responded to the…

The Royal Devon is investing in improvements to urgent and emergency care services across northern Devon to help more patients receive timely care, closer to home where appropriate and in the setting best suited to their needs.

As part of a wider programme to improve urgent care s…

From Tuesday 11 August, births, special baby care and triage at North Devon District Hospital will be 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 …

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that, despite extensive efforts to maintain services, births at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) will be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 August 2026 due to unsafe levels of medical staffing.

At the …

Further to our announcement yesterday about the potential and temporary suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital, we are sharing key advice to help people stay informed and know where to get support.

Helpline for non-urgent enquiries – 01271 335773

This is a new dedica…

Following a review of medical staffing levels and professional advice from clinical leaders, the Royal Devon University Hospital Foundation Trust Board has been advised that beyond Tuesday 11 August 2026 there will be insufficient substantive consultant and medical cover to safel…

Torridge residents are to help shape a new name for Bideford’s former community hospital, as it is redeveloped into a modern health and wellbeing campus, incorporating a £6 million Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC).

Building work is well underway to redevelop the hospital buildin…

The Royal Devon, like many NHS Trusts, continue to experience significant capacity challenges with ongoing high attendances at our emergency departments. The consistent challenges we face have significantly impacted our urgent and emergency serv…

As schools begin breaking up for the summer holidays with a warmer than average summer forecasted by the Met Office, the UKHSA is urging families to take simple steps to enjoy the summer break safely and protect their family’s health.

Further heat health alerts could be issued thr…

The new Royal Devon Research Academy has officially launched, created to support and inspire our workforce to get involved in research, develop their skills, and ultimately improve the health of the communities we care for.

At the Royal Devon, research is not something separate fr…

The hot weather in the South West is continuing to have an impact on the number of people presenting at the Royal Devon Emergency Departments with heat related conditions.

Dr Anthony Hemsley, Medical Director and Consultant Geriatrician said: ‘We’re seeing a high number of people …

We have opened our annual elections for our Council of Governors. Members of the public can now nominate themselves to be a public governor.

Our Council of Governors includes people from across Devon who represent their local communities. Governors share their feedback with member…

A partnership involving the Royal Devon is helping more patients benefit from life-changing research through their local GP practice.

Devon-based GP practice Amicus Health has been awarded £27,959.88 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to create dedicat…

Our clinical and research teams recently welcomed friends and colleagues from De La Salle University in Manila to the Royal Devon to celebrate the success of a ground-breaking research programme.  

The TULAY project, a collaboration between the University of Plymouth, City St…

Congratulations to Professor Kash Patel, Associate Professor and Consultant Physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology, who was a finalist for the Research Award at the Royal College of Physicians’ Excellence in Patient Care Awards 2026.

Genetic forms of diabetes affect around 10,000…

Patients can now use their NHS App login to access MY CARE with a new secure link between the two online services.

MY CARE is the online service that allows patients to see detailed information about their hospital and specialist community care using a mobile device or computer. …

Around a million families are being urged to protect their children against the spread of measles and other potentially deadly childhood illnesses, as part of a new NHS vaccination drive.

Children aged from 12-months to 11 years old who have missed one or both doses of the vaccin…

A Barnstaple-based research nurse is highlighting the important role of nurses in delivering genomic testing and what this means for the future of nursing.

Nathan Vernon, Senior Clinical Research Nurse at the Royal Devon, recently published his findings in the British Journal of …

Over the next few months we are sharing the ways we are reducing demand on our services by helping patients to access the right care in the right place at the right time.

Acute Hospital at Home (AHAH) enables patients to receive the same treatment and rehabilitation that they wou…

Working in partnership with Disability Together, the Royal Devon recently held an interactive event aimed at improving healthcare accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf community. The session, attended by a group of 16 – 25 year-olds from the Deaf Academy in Exmouth, gave young…

A new specialist sexual assault support hub has opened in Plymouth enhancing access to vital services for individuals who have been sexually assaulted.

The Plymouth Support Hub, funded by NHS England, provides a dedicated base for specialist crisis workers and delivers trauma sta…

You may have seen media coverage of the recently published Ockenden Review and the Amos Report, both of which highlight important lessons for maternity and neonatal services across England.

First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the women, babies and families whose experience…