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NHS bosses say smaller maternity units may have to close
NHS leaders say smaller units may need consolidation as staffing shortages, rising C-sections and outdated facilities put safe maternity care at risk.
- The NHS Alliance warned on Monday that England's maternity care is "not fit for purpose," with Matthew Hopkins alerting that up to 20 of 155 consultant-led units may need to close or change roles due to staffing shortages.
- Systemic failures including staffing shortages and infrastructure decay have placed maternity services under scrutiny; the Ockenden inquiry found more than 500 cases of harm in Nottingham, including 94 stillbirths and 62 neonatal deaths.
- Since August 11, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust suspended births at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple; nearly 200 women have faced journeys of up to two hours for delivery.
- Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has prioritized maternity care, with the Department of Health and Social Care investing £271 million since April 2025 to address safety risks and publishing a national action plan in December 2026.
- The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists opposes unit closures, with President Dr Alison Wright urging the government to commit to "expanding the maternity workforce to ensure safe staffing levels" rather than reducing facility access.
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Nearly two dozen maternity units could be forced to close
An NHS leader has warned that the current state of maternity services across the nation was "not fit for purpose" as he warns some birthing units could be forced to shut due to a lack of resources and key staff
·London, United Kingdom
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There are no plans to shut any of Scotland’s maternity units but 20 may have to shut in England’s deeply troubled service
From the Guardian today, the above and: Up to 20 maternity units in England will have to shut to ensure mothers and babies receive safe care amid shortages of doctors and rising caesarean section rates, an NHS leader has warned. Matthew Hopkins, the NHS Alliance’s director for acute care, said centralising childbirth services into fewer hospitals was “inevitable” and the “right thing”, but would lead to a political backlash against unpopular cha…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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