Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has announced a target date to reopen the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and inpatient maternity service at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH), aiming for April 21, 2026, provided essential safety standards are met.
The services at YDH were temporarily closed in May due to concerns over the safety, quality, and fragility of the paediatric care. Since then, the Trust has been working rigorously to address these issues and strengthen the paediatric service.
Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, expressed his satisfaction with setting the reopening date, emphasizing the extensive efforts underway to ensure service safety and quality. He highlighted that the reopening involves complex planning, including working with new paediatric consultants joining between November 2025 and March 2026, and coordinating closely with maternity staff who are currently supporting services at Musgrove Park Hospital and Dorset County Hospital.
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The reopening plan requires meeting essential safety criteria, with ongoing improvements scheduled beyond the reopening. Collaborative efforts are in place involving Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voice Partnership to guarantee all standards are fulfilled to safely resume services.
In the interim, pregnant women and families are advised to continue accessing maternity services as usual at alternative hospitals. Since the closure began on May 19, 354 babies have been born elsewhere, with the majority delivered at Musgrove Park Hospital and Dorset County Hospital.
Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, welcomed the announcement but noted that April 2026 is still a considerable wait for local families. He pledged to hold the Trust accountable to meet the deadline and advocated for clear communication and swift, safe reopening of the unit, underscoring the maternity unit’s essential role in the community.
Lewis concluded by thanking service users, families, hospital staff, and partner organizations for their ongoing support and collaboration throughout this challenging transition.