NHS leader: Maternity units delivering fewer than 2,000 babies may have to close

Smaller maternity units, typically those delivering fewer than 2,000 babies a year, may need to close to protect patient safety, an NHS leader has warned.

Matthew Hopkins, the director of the NHS Alliance's acute and ambulance network, argued the way maternity care is delivered had "moved on" and that "difficult decisions lie ahead".

The current configuration of maternity care across England is "not fit for purpose," according to NHS Alliance, an independent body that speaks for organisations across the health and care system.

The body is urging a taskforce preparing an action plan to improve maternity services to "grasp the nettle" and called on politicians to "stand up for patient safety" by voicing their support.

NHS Alliance said a steep rise in C-sections, staffing levels, and the availability of operating theatres and beds in ageing buildings were some of the challenges behind the need for change.

Sky News has highlighted repeated allegations of failings within maternity services at NHS trusts across England.

Experts have warned that women and babies are not receiving the "safe, compassionate care they deserve".

In response to recent public inquiries highlighting such failures, the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently preparing an action plan.

The taskforce will also address Black and Asian maternal mortality gaps.

A 2024 report found that women from Black ethnic groups were almost three times more likely to die in childbirth than White women and Asian ethnic groups were twice as likely to die in childbirth.

The NHS Alliance said difficult decisions were inevitable to address these "deep-rooted inequalities".

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Many of the units under most pressure from the current configuration of maternity care are smaller units in rural and coastal areas.

In August, one hospital in Barnstaple, Devon, had to temporarily suspend birthing services due to staff shortages.

Mr Hopkins warned that "the recent problems in Devon were not a one-off" and that the risk to safety in these organisations was "a real challenge".

He added that: "It is time now to take a step back and consider how we should best organise maternity services across England, and where those services should be located.

"It is vital that the forthcoming maternity and neonatal action plan looks beyond tokenistic measures to address these key strategic concerns."

(c) Sky News 2026: NHS leader: Maternity units delivering fewer than 2,000 babies may have to close