Shock over closure of vital hospital birthing unit

HOSPITAL'S birthing service and special care baby unit could remain shut for more than six months, after a watchdog flagged safety concerns for babies and children.

- ROD MINCHIN

Yeovil District Hospital is closing the units from next week, after it was served a warning notice by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as paediatric services require “significant improvement”.

The foundation trust which runs the hospital said the initial closure was for six months. Some Yeovil maternity staff will remain there to carry out antenatal appointments, while others may relocate to Musgrove Park, Bath or Dorchester hospitals for the closure period.

The unit has about 1,200 births a year.

Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, raised the issue in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions.

Sir Keir Starmer said he would get a meeting with a Government minster “to get to the bottom of the issue”.