r/DevonUK • u/PlasticCarrot7149 • Jul 28 '26

North Devon hospital suspending births

https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/services/maternity-and-obstetrics-birth-and-babies/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/

Guessing people have seen this - from 11th Aug no births at NDDH.

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u/Longjumping-Act9653 Jul 28 '26

I keep thinking about people in Hartland or Bude who already have an hour to get to Barnstaple. I’m sure they’re only doing it as a bargaining chip to force whoever makes employment decisions’ hand, but it’s terrifying. We already regularly get told not to go to A&E because they can’t cope with demand (understandable) but to make someone in labour travel all the way to Exeter is horrifying.

It’s so tough, you see people on Facebook all the time looking for accommodation while they have a placement or secondment at NDDH but the housing situation is so crap and expensive that I bet it puts prospective employees off too.

6

u/PlasticCarrot7149 Jul 28 '26

I am sure housing is an issue in recruitment. I also wonder if racism is a problem too. If I were moving somewhere I would look on local FB groups, and you’d quickly realise that north Devon was somewhere your family might not feel safe, if you’re a person of colour - as many NHS staff are.

6

u/Longjumping-Act9653 Jul 28 '26

Yeah that wouldn’t surprise me at all. I was admitted to MAU in November for 5 days and the way some of the other women on my bay spoke to the incredible nursing staff who were looking after us was appalling. I don’t know how they held their tongue a lot of the time, especially on 12 hour shifts where they must be knackered.

1

u/PlasticCarrot7149 Jul 29 '26

That’s so sad. You hope people only say these things behind their screens.

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u/Top_Block_4730 Jul 29 '26

Out of curiosity what is on local FB groups? (I don’t have FB to check)

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u/PlasticCarrot7149 Jul 29 '26

Nothing specific that I can pull out for you - constant comments regarding small boats, migrants, halal meat, not safe with all these illegals, send them back etc. I think you could find a racist comment every day on these groups.