Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) the suspension of maternity services at North Devon District Hospital and (b) travel to Exeter Hospital on expectant mothers in Torridge.

The situation in North Devon in recent weeks has been unacceptable. As the Prime Minister told the House on 2 September, we expect the situation in North Devon to be resolved in the coming weeks.

The local National Health Service trust has set out a provisional timeline for reopening birthing services which is available at the following link:

https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/maternity-and-obstetrics/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/