Closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s maternity unit

That this House expresses alarm at the sudden closure of Yeovil District Hospital’s (YDH) Maternity Unit; notes that, from 5.00pm on Monday 19 May 2025, the Special Care Baby Unit at YDH will be closed for an initial period of six months, which means the hospital will be unable to safely provide care during labour and births at the Yeovil maternity unit for that period; further notes, with concern, that no reassurance could be provided that the maternity unit will be opened after the initial six month closure; recognises that the closure will create increased pressures on the already stretched maternity unit in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton; also notes that the decision puts patient health in south Somerset at risk; acknowledges the fear and outrage of residents across Yeovil and South Somerset; and calls on Yeovil District Hospital, Somerset NHS Trust Foundation and NHS Somerset to urgently restore safe local maternity care in Yeovil.