Maternity ward to reopen after safety concerns
BBCA hospital is preparing to reopen a maternity ward that has been closed for nearly a year due to safety concerns.
Maternity services and the Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil District Hospital were shut in May 2025. They are set to reopen on 21 April.
Professor Deirdre Fowler, chief nurse and chief midwife at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are very excited to welcome mothers, babies and families back to YDH in just two weeks' time."
The trust says it has addressed the safety concerns – which included understaffing and learning from serious incidents – by recruiting staff, combining workforces with Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, and improving training systems.
It has hired five paediatric consultants and neonatal nurses, a medical neonatal lead, midwives and maternity leaders.
A leadership structure has been created to help the unit to continuously improve.
The trust said it would provide simulation and rotational training to support colleagues to maintain their skills.
It has also made improvements to the maternity unit by installing new fire doors, improving security and redecorating.
The maternity unit was shut following safety concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission watchdog, which issued a warning notice after an inspection in January 2025.
Midwives and obstetricians are now having one-to-one conversations with parents about their choice of birthplace.
Sally Bryant, the trust's director of midwifery, said: "We are here to support service users, to listen to you, answer your questions, and address any concerns you may have.
"If you are currently pregnant or have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your community midwife."
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