THE prospect of the reopening of a closed maternity unit at North Devon District Hospital has been given a cautious welcome by the MP for Torridge and Tavistock.

Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, the Conservative member of parliament for the area, said that while the plan to reopen on September 29 was welcome, he remained ‘profoundly disappointed’ that he had received no engagement from the Labour government on the issue five weeks after writing to them about the issue.

Sir Geoffrey said that he still remained concerned about the serious workforce pressures that were facing rural NHS services, which he said exacerbated the challenges being faced.

The MP is also calling on the government to deliver the previously planned redevelopment programme at North Devon District Hospital that had been delayed by the Keir Starmer led administration.

He said: “The plan to resume maternity services at North Devon District Hospital from September 29 is welcome news. Having heard directly from concerned families and expectant mothers, I hope this announcement will reassure them and the wider community, but it is essential that we should have a sustainable and permanent maternity unit at our hospital and I am urgently pressing the government and the Trust to show how that is going to be assured.

“A restoration of maternity services must give families and staff confidence that care can continue safely and reliably, without the risk of another suspension and expectant mothers being asked to travel two hours to Exeter.

I remain profoundly disappointed that, nearly five weeks after writing to the Labour Government about the suspension of maternity services at North Devon District Hospital, I am yet to receive any response. As Parliament resumes, I have tabled parliamentary questions urgently for answers on those measures necessary to tackle the serious workforce pressures facing rural NHS services that led to the suspension.

“I will also continue to press the Government to deliver the critical redevelopment programme at North Devon District Hospital, which has been delayed by the current Government and is vital to securing the hospital’s future and sustaining its services for years to come. It is simply not acceptable for rural communities to be overlooked when it comes to securing the investment and support needed to protect vital NHS services, including maternity care.

“Nevertheless, I remain extremely grateful to everyone involved for their continued hard work, commitment and determination to resolve this situation."

A spokesperson for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS trust said: “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.

A final review of staffing and safety criteria will take place two weeks before and we will confirm whether the reopening will take place.The current temporary suspension remains in place.

“Women and birthing people should continue to follow their current personalised birth plans and continue to contact maternity triage on 01392 406616 early if they think they may be in labour or have urgent concerns.”