Health bosses have given a disappointing update on the hoped-for reopening of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement on Monday regarding ongoing concerns about the hospital's birthing services, following their temporary suspension starting Tuesday, August 11.
The move prompted concerns and claims that women were being offered classes in how to give birth in cars if they were travelling long distances to the nearest maternity ward, such as Exeter or Taunton, although this was dismissed as mere rumour by the trust.
Last month, the Trust said it was "cautiously optimistic" that it would be in a position to reopen birthing services by the end of September. However, the Trust has now explained how it had met to assess its position "against the required consultant and registrar rota coverage needed to safely reopen birthing services at NDDH".
They continued: "Our clinical and operational assurance confirmed that we have not been able to meet our reopening threshold rota coverage to reopen birthing services safely on Tuesday 29 September.
"We know this is disappointing and not the position we had hoped to be in.
"The 29 September was always conditional on final staffing and safety assurance; we will not reopen until all agreed criteria are met and we are able to provide safe, sustainable birthing services. We must be confident the service can reopen safely and will not close again at short notice.
"Whilst we have made progress on recruiting to both our consultant and registrar rotas, we still have further work to do to meet our thresholds and to complete the comprehensive onboarding and induction programme all new staff who join our teams must undertake."
"Despite this latest position, we remain committed to reopening birthing services at NDDH as soon as possible. We will undertake our next readiness assessment on Monday 28 September and, if needed, every two weeks after that."
Women and birthing people are being told to continue following their current personalised birth plans and to contact maternity triage on 01392 406616 as soon as they think they may be in labour or if they have any urgent concerns.
The Trust's spokesperson added: "Our focus remains on working with partners on recruitment and the wider housing, transport, infrastructure and rural workforce issues that are affecting the ability to provide sustainable services in northern Devon.
"We are continuing to review all opportunities to recruit temporary and substantive staff.
"We've formally requested support from the wider NHS and we're looking internationally to strengthen our approach to substantive recruitment.
"This afternoon [September 14] we are briefing staff, patients, stakeholders partner organisations and the public.
"Our front-line staff are equipped with guidance to make sure that everyone has access to accurate and updated information.
"The helpline remains open and we are continuing to work closely with the Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to support them to provide information and receive feedback and questions. Our web pages will be updating regularly with updates and FAQs, which can be found here: www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/maternity-and-obstetrics/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes
"We recognise the disappointment, pressure and uncertainty this ongoing suspension creates for women, birthing people, families and colleagues, and we are sorry that reopening cannot proceed as initially planned. We remain committed to reopening birthing services at NDDH as soon as possible."
The Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, slammed the "unacceptable" further delay to the reopening of maternity services, warning that the prolonged closure will cause "severe disruption and anxiety" for expectant mothers and their families across North Cornwall.
Commenting, Mr Maguire said: "This is completely unacceptable news for my constituents. Families across North Cornwall are being left facing severe disruption and anxiety at what should be an incredibly important time in their lives."
North Devon Maternity Unit Reopening Delayed