27 Oct 2026
Expectant mothers facing journeys of more than two hours to give birth have prompted calls in Parliament for stronger safeguards for rural maternity services.
A recent House of Commons debate highlighted how staffing shortages can leave rural families a long way from maternity care, with few alternatives nearby.
Opening the debate, North Devon MP Ian Roome described the impact of the suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital’s Ladywell maternity unit. Births were suspended from 11 August because of a shortage of obstetrics and gynaecology consultants, although some other maternity services continue locally.
Women have been diverted to Exeter, a 53-mile journey between the two hospitals. Mr Roome said many families across the hospital’s rural catchment area faced journeys of more than two hours.
He also raised concerns about women travelling to Exeter for assessment, only to be sent home again, adding further hours on the road.
Making Rural Services More Resilient
MPs called for action to prevent staffing shortages from leaving rural communities without a local place to give birth.
Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox urged the Government to ensure isolated maternity units could withstand the departure of a single consultant.
Mr Roome called for national guidance on when maternity units should suspend births and what conditions should be met before reopening. He also proposed more opportunities for trainee consultants to complete their final years in rural and coastal hospitals, helping those areas attract doctors.
Other MPs highlighted the additional pressure on hospitals receiving diverted births, alongside the travel difficulties facing families.
Minister Acknowledges Travel Concerns
Responding for the Government, Minister for Secondary Care Karin Smyth said the suspension was necessary because the trust could not safely staff the service.
However, she said it was unacceptable for women to travel for two hours while in labour.
The Minister explained that reopening depended on round-the-clock consultant and registrar cover, with three quarters of those staff employed full time. New staff must also complete employment checks and induction.
Despite funded posts and offers of salary top-ups, recruitment difficulties remained. The trust assesses readiness to reopen each week, but the Minister could not give a reopening date.
Support for affected women includes maternity helplines, mental health support and free taxis for those without transport who are advised by the maternity triage service to attend hospital.
Recognising Rural Needs
Ms Smyth acknowledged that rural and coastal services face particular recruitment and retention pressures. She said these must be addressed in the forthcoming workforce plan, while a new maternity service framework would define standards for care in rural and urban areas.
The debate brings a wider rural challenge into focus: when a local service suspends births, the next available hospital may be many miles away. Safe maternity planning must account for those distances, alongside the staffing needed to keep services running.
Despite funded posts and offers of salary top-ups, recruitment difficulties remained. The trust assesses readiness to reopen each week, but the Minister could not give a reopening date.
Support for affected women includes maternity helplines, mental health support and free taxis for those without transport who are advised by the maternity triage service to attend hospital.
