Dorset Council leader Councillor Nick Ireland has asked the authority’s People and Health Scrutiny committee to investigate the temporary closure of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Yeovil Hospital.

Councillor Ireland said that the decision by the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to close the maternity unit for a period of at least six months had significant implications for Dorset residents, particularly those in the north and west of the county.

‘The closure may affect access to timely and safe maternity care, increase travel distances for expectant mothers and place additional pressure on neighbouring services,’ he said.

Councillor Ireland said that, given the potential impact on the community, it was appropriate for the committee to scrutinise:

• The rationale and evidence base for the closure
• The consultation process and engagement with affected populations
• The adequacy of alternative arrangements for Dorset residents

He is calling for the committee to discuss the issue at the earliest opportunity. The council leader said: ‘Ensuring transparency and accountability in decisions that affect our residents – regardless of administrative boundaries – is a responsibility we share.’

Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet Portfolio lead for Health and Housing, added: ‘I’m deeply concerned about the impact this closure will have on women, children and families in the north and west of the county who use Yeovil Hospital.’

Following the request, Councillor Toni Coombs, chair of the People and Health Scrutiny committee, said several of the hospitals serving Dorset’s residents had been identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as requiring improvement or inadequate and that Dorset residents deserve better services at this crucial stage in their lives.

As a result, Councillor Coombs said she had instigated a paper on a wider review of Maternity Services to women in the Dorset Council area. This would cover the following areas:

• The impact of the temporary closure of the maternity unit and SCBU at Yeovil and the detail of the CQC inspection report relevant to this service.
• Details of the services available through Dorset County Hospital, their CQC report in 2023 and requires improvement judgement, and progress on the action plan.
• Services available to women via Poole Hospital and the CQC judgement of inadequate in 2023; and the impact of the new Beach facility at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
• Maternity services available to Dorset women from Salisbury District Hospital and the journey to good since the 2021 section 29A notice.