Maternity unit to remain shut over staffing crisis
BBCThe reopening date of a north Devon maternity unit has been delayed again because of an onoging shortage of staff.
The Royal Devon NHS Trust said it had appealed for help from the wider NHS and was searching internationally for staff so it could reopen the unit for birthing services at the North Devon District Hospital at Barnstaple safely.
The unit has been shut since August and the closure jas meant expectant parents from parts of rural Devon and also north east Cornwall having to travel to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
The trust said it took the decision after its latest readiness assessment, but added it remained "committed to reopening birthing services... as soon as possible."
The trust said expectant parents should continue to follow their birthing plans to give birth in hospital in Exeter or at their nearest hospital.
It added it was continuing to try to recruit temporary and full time staff so it could reopen the unit.
The trust added: "Patient safety remains the overriding priority - staffing, induction, rotas and operational arrangements must all be fully assured before reopening."
The latest update comes days after the latest protest by campaigners who said pregnant women faced long journeys to give birth at alternative hospitals.
The trust is due to provide its next update on staffing on Monday 23 November.