The prime minister has admitted “structural difficulties” similar to those faced by a rural maternity unit recently forced to close over staff shortages are widespread across the NHS.
During his first Prime Minister’s Questions, Andy Burnham said he agreed with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey that it was “not acceptable” for patients of North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, where births have been suspended for three weeks, to travel for up to two hours while in labour.
Mr Burnham pledged his government would be investigating “structural issues affecting maternity services across the UK”, with new health secretary Yvette Cooper “looking at all the issues” following recent damning maternity reviews.
He said: “I also say to [Mr Davey] with honesty that there are structural issues affecting maternity services across the UK.
“This is not the only hospital where there have been difficulties. As a former secretary of state for health, I am aware that there have been long-standing shortages of midwives across the country.
“It is right that we look at all those issues. I can give him a guarantee that…the health secretary is looking at those issues following the recent maternity reviews.”
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Source: HSJ, 2 September 2026
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