Sir Ed’s concerns over maternity services after speaking to parents

LIBERAL Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has branded the ongoing maternity care crisis in Somerset as “absolutely shameful” during a visit to a baby sensory class in Ilminster.

- LEWIS CLARKE

Joined by Yeovil MP Adam Dance on Friday, September 12, Mr Davey met new parents affected by the temporary closure of maternity services at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH), which shut its Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and inpatient maternity ward in May amid concerns over safety and staffing.

While Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has now confirmed plans to reopen the services, the lack of a concrete timeline has left families and staff in limbo. It is estimated nearly 300 babies have been born elsewhere since the closure, with some mothers forced to travel an hour to deliver in Dorchester or Taunton.

Speaking at the event, Mr Davey said the experience of talking to parents made clear just how vital local maternity services were.

“The joy of babies surpasses everything else, and being with mums and a few dads, playing with the babies in an educational way, was great fun,” he said. “But it enabled me to talk to some of the mums who had had their babies at Yeovil and they said how important it was to have a local facility - and how deeply worried people are about the temporary closure.”

Mr Davey welcomed the news that the unit will reopen but warned there was still much to be done.

“We haven't got a full timescale yet and we want to know whether the problems have really been solved. So it’s two cheers, not quite three,’ he added. “Health services in the South West, especially rural areas, are often forgotten by government. We will be holding their feet to the fire.”