Ian Roome

Ian Roome

Liberal Democrat — North Devon

Speaking in the House of Commons on 14 October 2026

Debate

North Devon Maternity Services

Contribution

Further to our online petition signed by more than 15,000 people calling for births to be restored at North Devon district hospital’s maternity unit, I present this petition on behalf of all those families across northern Devon and Cornwall who need local maternity services at North Devon district hospital reinstated at the earliest possible date that it is safe to do so. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to bolster recruitment and maternity staffing levels among NHS Trusts,…build local resilience in the NHS to prevent dangerous travel distances for expectant mothers, and ensure that the National Maternity and Neonatal Task Force works to stop emergency suspensions of maternity services at NHS hospitals. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of Northern Devon, Declares that Maternity Services should be urgently reinstated at North Devon District Hospital on the earliest possible date it is safe to do so. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to bolster recruitment and maternity staffing levels among NHS Trusts - especially consultant gynaecologists and obstetricians - build local resilience in the NHS to prevent dangerous travel distances for expectant mothers, and ensure that the National Maternity and Neonatal Task Force works to stop emergency suspensions of maternity services at NHS hospitals. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003244]

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