The impact of Yeovil’s maternity crisis — it happened to me 17 Years ago
On Monday, 12 May 2025, at 4 pm, Yeovil District Hospital announced the closure of its maternity unit for an initial period of six months. This decision followed an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January 2025, which issued a warning notice citing the need for significant improvement in paediatric services. Safety concerns arising from staffing shortages have left many women and families in limbo — a feeling I know all too well, because for me, this is history repeating itself.
On Thursday, 15 May, we invited Yeovil District Hospital leaders to explain the reasoning behind this decision at the Adults and Health Scrutiny Committee at Somerset Council in Bridgwater. Dr Melanie Isles, chief medical officer, from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust outlined their reasons for closing the Special Care Baby Unit, which means the hospital will no longer support women during labour and birth there for at least six months. Even then, there’s no guarantee that it will reopen after that period.
I can’t help but reflect on how this decision impacts real families — especially women who had planned to give birth at Yeovil. The closure will not only affect those within the town but also residents in the rural areas of Somerset that I represent, shaping the healthcare experience of expectant mothers far beyond Yeovil itself. I understand these feelings of uncertainty and anxiety all too well, because I have walked that same anxious path myself.
A Personal Story
This situation hits close to home. I remember being 10 days overdue and choosing Yeovil for my daughter’s birth. But just a day before my due date (to be induced), the unit was suddenly closed. All I received was a phone call—no advice, no support —just the unsettling news that I had nowhere to go. With no options nearby, my midwife, who knew colleagues at Taunton Musgrove, arranged a transfer for me.
I ended up in a corridor during the early stages of my labour, beside two women with pre-eclampsia and outside a unit for premature babies—not the birth story I had envisioned for my first and only child. Thankfully, my experience at Musgrove was positive, with dedicated staff, the same midwife with me the entire time, supporting me throughout. But what has stayed with me is the feeling of being left to navigate that chaos caused by the sudden closure of the maternity unit. My birth plan never left my packed bag.
At the time and to this day, Yeovil has never apologised or checked on what happened to me. That unresolved sense of dismissal continues to motivate my advocacy for better, more reliable maternity services in our communities in Somerset. We need Government to pledge this basic right for women in our Country.
Understanding the Challenges Yeovil Hospital Faces
As a smaller maternity hospital, Yeovil has faced ongoing staffing issues. The CQC’s inspection highlighted the difficulties the hospital faces in attracting and retaining sufficiently trained paediatric staff—particularly senior paediatricians. Gaps in the rota (for senior staff) make the hospital vulnerable to safety concerns. Despite active recruitment attempts, staffing shortages persist, and hospital leadership acknowledges these difficulties.
Much of the hospital’s focus has been on modernising its paediatric ward—ensuring children are seen promptly and discharged efficiently. However, the small size of the Special Care Baby Unit, which serves fewer babies, limits its capacity to care for critically ill newborns the hospital says.
In the meantime, women will have to use facilities such as Musgrove Park in Taunton, Bath, or Dorchester—places with more comprehensive paediatric and neonatal services. But the travel distances are a major concern for many families in our county.
Voices for Change
On Monday, 19 May, from 5:00–6:00 pm, I will join Adam Dance MP at a peaceful rally outside Yeovil’s Maternity Unit, urging everyone who cares about local maternity services to make their voices heard.
This isn’t just about staffing or policies; it’s about ensuring genuine care, safety, and respect for the women and families who rely on these vital services. We need clear assurances that the unit will reopens, and it will meet the safety standards Somerset women, and their families, deserve.
Having experienced the uncertainty and fear first-hand, I truly hope our voices together matter and will be heard. Join me with Adam on Monday if you can.