Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the capacity of local NHS services to provide safe home births in the context of the closure of Yeovil Hospital’s maternity unit.

The Government is aware of the temporary changes to services at Yeovil District Hospital that have been made in response to a number of factors, including a recent Care Quality Commission inspection and not being able to currently meet the staffing levels required to provide safe services for babies and families.

The temporary closure is for an initial period of six months. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks. All births and expectant mothers are also being offered pain relief and safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, and Bath.

Choice is a core part of maternity care. We are working with NHS England to improve personalised care, and the quality of information mothers receive about their choices, so they feel empowered throughout their pregnancy journey into motherhood.