Yeovil Hospital’s maternity unit may reopen gradually in stages rather than all at once, NHS leaders have revealed.
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust temporarily shut the special care baby unit (SCBU) and inpatient maternity services at Yeovil Hospital on May 19 due to concerns over the safety, quality, and fragility of the paediatric services on site.
In mid-October, the trust announced plans to reopen these facilities on April 21, 2026, following successful recruitment efforts and several improvements. However, senior officials have not confirmed if the entire unit will resume operations simultaneously or if a phased reopening will be adopted to maintain staff and patient safety.
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At a meeting of Somerset Council’s adults and health scrutiny committee on November 20, Sally Bryant, the trust’s director of midwifery, provided an update on progress. She stated, “We’re keeping a focus on improvement, and that’s working really well at the moment. We continue to evaluate the maternity triage service to make sure it’s where it needs to be.”
Since the closure, 453 babies who would have been born at Yeovil were delivered elsewhere: 215 at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, 178 at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, 31 at home, and 29 at other hospitals including the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
Significant upgrades have been made to the maternity unit during the closure period. These include installing new fire doors, upgrading the electricity supply, redecorating with fresh décor, and adding new art murals. Additional support and resources have also been allocated to vulnerable expectant parents who are now seeking care at other locations.
Councillor Lucy Trimnell (Conservative, Wincanton and Bruton) raised concerns about whether the unit could reopen fully in one go or if a staggered reopening would be more practical. Bryant responded that they are still assessing this, emphasizing respect for patient choice since some parents have established care pathways at other hospitals during the closure.
“Our ambition remains a full reopening,” Bryant said, “but we want to consider all options carefully to ensure the best outcomes for families.”
Councillor John Bailey (Liberal Democrat, Martock) expressed concern about staff disruption and urged clarity on the reopening timeline, referencing the initial closure as a public relations challenge. Bryant reassured the committee that staff turnover has remained stable, which supports confidence in the reopening plans.
Councillor Gill Slocombe (Conservative, Bridgwater West), who chaired the meeting, welcomed the update and affirmed ongoing efforts to advocate for a new maternity unit at Musgrove Park Hospital, backed by local MP Gideon Amos. She also humorously highlighted the challenges of accessing Musgrove, joking, “If you’re trying to park there, you might have your baby and start university before you get out.”