Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit on local maternity services.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased travel times for maternity care following the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the capacity of local NHS services to meet demand for home births following the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit on levels of capacity at surrounding hospitals.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit on maternity staff at that hospital.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit on people in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 reduce the impact of the closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s Maternity Unit on access to care.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
When a decision has been taken quickly because of the risks to patient or staff safety, or welfare, the Government expects the local National Health Service commissioning body to notify and provide a rationale to their local Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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, and expectant mothers are being offered safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, including Dorset County Hospital, and Bath. Outpatient clinics for pregnant mothers such as obstetric and midwifery antenatal clinics, scanning, antenatal screening services, and home births will continue at Yeovil District Hospital as normal. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks.
The South West NHS England regional team, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are working collectively to mitigate the risk of this temporary closure and to ensure the wider systems work together to provide safe services in the meantime.
Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioning body. The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and where needed, ensure patient safety.
The ICB released a statement on 19 May 2025 about the impact of this closure on transport and travel, on access to care, and on maternity staff at Yeovil District Hospital. The ICB also released a statement on 14 May 2025 about some specific criteria that they have put in place to support the possibility of a reopening in six months. The ICB has stated that they will keep the situation under continual review, and that they will also undertake a formal review of the position after three and six months. The statements from 19 May 2025 and 14 May 2025 are available, respectively, at the following two links:
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/my-health/my-local-health-services/patient-transport/
There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care. The Government continues to work with the NHS as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Supreme Court ruling published on April 16, what plans her Department has to amend its policy on the use of women-only spaces in its buildings by transgender women.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling.
It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.
The Equality & Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.
The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling.
It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.
The Equality & Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.
The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has conducted public awareness campaigns on the dangers of mobile phone use while driving.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
THINK! is the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by addressing a range of issues, including mobile phone distraction. In 2022, the Government ran a THINK! Campaign targeting 17-24 year old men and women, which coincided with the broadening of the legal offence of using a handheld phone while driving.
The campaign led to 75% of young men agreeing that it is always dangerous to use a handheld phone when you are at the wheel, with between two thirds to 80% of the audience taking action to change their behaviour after seeing the campaign’s short films.
Previous THINK! campaigns have addressed the role of passengers in distracting drivers, including through mobile phone use. Mobile phone campaigns also ran in 2017 and 2018 after the 2017 increase in penalties for driving while using a handheld phone. A radio advert asking drivers to ‘Put your phone away’ runs throughout the year via the Fillers service, through which radio stations run public service adverts at no cost.