Sarah Dyke MP welcomes the government's maternity investigation
Wes Streeting made the announcement earlier this week.
Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has welcomed the announcement of a Government inquiry into systemic failures within NHS maternity services in England after she has called many times for the issue to be addressed.
The Health Secretary this week launched the national investigation urgently to examine the most concerning maternity and neonatal units, aiming to provide answers to bereaved and affected families.
Sarah Dyke MP has been actively campaigning for greater accountability and transparency following the controversial closure of maternity services at Yeovil District Hospital, where more than 1300 babies are born annually.
An online petition launched by Sarah Dyke MP has gathered widespread support from local residents.
She has also raised the issue multiple times in Parliament, highlighting the significant impact this closure has had on families in her constituency.
Speaking in Parliament recently, Sarah Dyke MP said: "This is a damning indictment of how our health services have been treated, and how they have been run into the ground following the Conservatives’ regular cuts. Residents in Glastonbury and Somerton are devastated, and are concerned that this six-month temporary closure could then become permanent.
“I have had many examples of residents contacting me, including Ben. He and his wife are from Martock, and are expecting their first child in September. They have planned a home birth with support from the Yeovil midwifery team. They can still access those services, but if complications arise, they will no longer be able to rely on Yeovil hospital services, which are only a 15-minute drive away.
“They will have to go a lot further, driving at least 45 minutes to access Taunton, Royal United hospital, Dorchester or Salisbury. There are so many unanswered questions, especially on how the closure will affect the capacity of Taunton’s Musgrove Park hospital, or Dorchester or Bath’s maternity units."
Ms Dyke said today: “I welcome the news that the Government is taking this seriously and has launched an inquiry into maternity services, but I would urge them to act more quickly.
"Maternity units across the country have been underfunded for years due to Conservative Government cuts to rural health services. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust must be given the funding and resources it requires to properly staff the Yeovil maternity unit, and to provide a safe environment for women to give birth to their children as a matter of urgency.
“I will work alongside my Liberal Democrat MP colleagues in Somerset and Dorset to ensure the vital services at Yeovil District Hospital are restored as soon as possible. I will not compromise on my commitment to ensure the highest-level quality of care for all residents of Glastonbury and Somerton.”
The Government investigation, due to report by December, aims to address systemic issues and reassure families about the future safety and reliability of maternity care.