Temporary suspension of birth services at Honiton and Okehampton to be extended

The RD&E is to extend the temporary suspension of birth services at Honiton and Okehampton birth centres for a further three months.

Good progress has been made to recruit staff into vacancies within the wider Maternity Service, but ongoing staff sickness and high patient demand in the acute unit in Exeter means we have not yet been able to reach acceptable staffing levels. As a result, the Trust is continuing to suspend birth services at Honiton and Okehampton to ensure patient safety and quality is maintained across our maternity service

The extension means that women will not be able to give birth at either site for a further three months. The Trust will review the suspension again in April.

All antenatal and postnatal clinics, midwifery support and home birth services at Honiton and Okehampton are unaffected and running as normal.

Zita Martinez, Head of Midwifery reiterated that “We are sorry for this continued suspension in inpatient services and understand it will be disappointing for women who had hoped to birth at Honiton or Okehampton. Patient safety remains our top priority and we are continuing to work hard to resolve this as soon as possible.”  

Honiton and Okehampton Birth Centres are open for clinics and midwife care and support 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Outside of these hours women should call the RD&E main maternity triage service on 01392 406616.