The NHS Alliance has warned some small maternity units may have to close as part of the reorganisation of services.

The organisation is calling for a thorough appraisal of where maternity services should be located, warning of particular pressures on smaller units in rural and coastal areas.

Matthew Hopkins, said: ‘The way maternity care is delivered has moved on.

‘A key driver for change is the rise in C-section deliveries and the effect this is having on capacity and staffing, especially in smaller maternity units.'

The announcement comes as birthing services remain suspended at North Devon District Hospital due to staffing shortages.

Hopkins said problems in Devon were not a ‘one-off', adding: ‘Difficult decisions lie ahead, consolidating maternity services to support safer, more sustainable care.

‘Local plans must involve NHS leaders, clinical staff, patients and communities.

‘Local and national politicians have a key role to play. They must have the courage to make the case for patient safety, offering air cover for change.'

The call comes as the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is preparing an action plan in response to recent public inquiries highlighting failings in maternity services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Every woman deserves safe maternity care, and the secretary of state has made this issue a personal priority. Through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, that she is chairing, this Government will deliver the reforms needed to ensure services meet the needs of women and families now and in the future.

‘In addition, we have invested £271m since April 2025 to tackle critical safety risks in maternity and neonatal units, we are creating the first ever statutory maternity and neonatal commissioner, we are extending Martha's Rule to maternity and neonatal wards in England, and we will publish a single, national action plan in December 2026, driving the long-term reforms we need to deliver safer and better care for all.'