NHS Leaders Warn of Potential Closure of Up to 20 Maternity Units
Source reports published 19 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm AEST
NHS leaders are warning that up to 20 maternity units in England may need to close due to shortages of staff and rising caesarean section rates. The NHS Alliance is calling for a taskforce to address strategic issues and ensure safer care.
What happened
- Matthew Hopkins, director of the NHS Alliance’s acute and ambulance network, stated that the current organization of maternity care is ‘not fit for purpose’ and difficult decisions lie ahead.
- He highlighted pressures on smaller units, particularly in rural and coastal areas, that deliver 1,500 to 2,000 babies annually, citing a lack of specialist staff, rising C-section rates, and outdated facilities.
- Hopkins emphasized the need for a government taskforce to tackle issues such as workforce shortages and raised maternity mortality rates.
- He advocated for consolidating services to support safer care, acknowledging the political challenges involved in reconfiguring services and potentially forcing mothers to travel further for childbirth.
- Hannah Leonard, chief policy officer of the Royal College of Midwives, expressed concern about the potential closure of local units, emphasizing the reliance of women and families on high-quality services close to home.
- Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, suggested exploring alternative solutions to workforce challenges rather than closing units.
- Andy Burnham acknowledged structural issues within UK maternity services, highlighting the impact of closures like those at North Devon and Yeovil hospitals, where mothers have been forced to travel significant distances for care.
Original reporting
- BBC: NHS leaders say maternity care organisation is 'not fit for purpose'
2026-10-19T05:00:08.074000+00:00 - Guardian: Up to 20 maternity units in England may have to shut, NHS leader warns
2026-10-19T00:00:00+00:00