The closure of Yeovil Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and Maternity Unit, expected to last at least six months, has raised serious concerns for families across Somerset. Under the current plan, families who were due to give birth at Yeovil are now being redirected to hospitals in Taunton, Bath, Salisbury and Dorchester. Antenatal care and urgent pregnancy concerns are being managed by Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.
While these hospitals will work hard to accommodate additional patients, there are growing concerns about capacity – particularly at Musgrove Park. The added pressure on already stretched services could lead to longer wait times, delayed assessments, and may discourage some women from seeking help when they need it most. For many, this creates a worrying level of uncertainty at a time that should be full of support and reassurance.
But for families who have experienced the loss of a baby, the situation is even more distressing.
We know, through our close work with Towards Tomorrow Together – a local baby loss charity – that many bereaved parents had planned to receive care at Yeovil precisely because it offered a different environment from the hospitals where their loss occurred. For example, a family who lost their baby at Musgrove Park or Bath may have chosen Yeovil as a place to begin their next chapter, supported by a new care team in a different setting. The forced return to a hospital associated with trauma and grief can be extremely triggering, especially during a pregnancy already complicated by anxiety.
The emotional toll of this situation cannot be underestimated.
What help and support is available?
To help parents navigate this challenging time, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has launched a dedicated helpline, open Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm: 0300 303 6409
At Enable Law, our specialist baby loss legal team works closely with Towards Tomorrow Together to ensure bereaved parents feel supported – not only legally, but emotionally. The charity offers tailored support to anyone impacted by baby loss, including those who are pregnant again and now facing the stress of this sudden closure.
If you have had any difficulties during your pregnancy or labour at Yeovil, or are concerned about the closure and the impact that this might have on your pregnancy, please do contact Towards Tomorrow Together, or get in touch with our specialist baby loss team on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form below so we can give you a call back at a time convenient to you.
