Trust admits it ‘cannot safely run’ maternity service

A trust is set to close one of its birthing units for at least six months after admitting it “cannot safely run” the service.

Somerset Foundation Trust will temporarily close the maternity unit at Yeovil District Hospital “for an initial period of six months” from next week, amid significant gaps in medical staffing.

The trust has said it “cannot safely run” the special care baby unit, which provides dedicated support for premature newborns, nor “safely provide care during labour and birth”.

The closure follows concerns being raised by the Care Quality Commission. The regulator rated maternity services at Yeovil “inadequate” last year and also issued a warning notice in January after finding its paediatric care “requires significant improvement”.

The CQC said the service did not have enough medical staff or emergency equipment to keep babies safe, and found not all staff followed infection control procedures.

Dr Iles added that senior paediatricians from Somerset FT’s Musgrove Park Hospital are helping to ensure paediatric inpatient and outpatient services at Yeovil remain open, including obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births.

But she added: “We cannot care for any newborns who require care in a special care baby unit or safely provide care during labour and birth at the Yeovil maternity unit.

“We are committed to providing safe, high quality, and sustainable services for those who need them, but we must address these concerns and need the time and space to do this. I apologise again to anyone who is affected by these changes.”

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Source: HSJ, 15 May 2025