North Devon District Hospital plans to resume birth services at the end of the month after recruiting medical staff. In an update on Tuesday, September 1, the hospital trust said it is proposing to reopen the birth services on Tuesday, September 29, if "essential safety criteria" are met.
The provisional date for reopening depends on "staff rotas, skills of the clinical team, and meeting all safety criteria". On Monday, September 14, the trust will conduct a final review and make a formal decision before confirming the resumption of birth services.
The trust said: "Following a review of staffing thresholds and the progress of the recruitment and induction pipeline we are confident that we have the medical staff required."
Birthing people should continue to follow their current birthing plans as the temporary suspension remains in place.
Dr Vanessa Purday, Chief Medical Officer, said: "We fully recognise the disruption and anxiety caused by the temporary suspension and we are grateful to women and birthing people, their families, colleagues and partners for their patience and support.
"This is an important step forward towards restoring services closer to home and being assured of patient safety and continuity of care. We hope this provides certainty for our colleagues who work in those services, for women, birthing people and their families and the communities that rely on these services."
North Devon Maternity Unit to Reopen Late September