Staggered reopening an option for maternity unit

YEOVIL Hospital’s maternity unit may reopen in stages rather than all at once, senior NHS staff have confirmed.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local Democracy Reporter

A protest over the closure of Yeovil District Hospital's maternity unit in May this year

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust temporarily closed the special care baby unit (SCBU) and inpatient maternity service at Yeovil Hospital on May 19, due to concerns about “the safety, quality and fragility of the paediatric service” on the site.

The trust announced in mid-October that it intended to reopen the facilities on April 21, 2026, following a successful period of recruitment and other changes being put in place.

But senior officers say they are unable to confirm whether the entire facility will reopen on the same day or whether a “graded” approach will be taken to ensure staff and patient safety.

Sally Bryant, the trust’s director of midwifery, provided an update when Somerset Council's adults and health scrutiny committee met in Bridgwater on November 20.