The confirmation followed the announcement of the plans at the end of July.

Carolyn Mills, Royal Devon chief nursing officer, said: ‘This was an exceptionally difficult decision to make. Our absolute priority is, and always will be, the safety of women, birthing people and their babies.

‘We have worked tirelessly alongside our partners, including NHS Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and NHS England regional colleagues, to explore every possible option to avoid this outcome. Unfortunately, we have now reached the point where we cannot safely provide the level of medical cover required to continue births at North Devon District Hospital.

‘We carefully considered the risks involved. While we recognise the additional travel this will mean for some families, we believe that concentrating services where safe medical staffing can be guaranteed is the safest option for everyone who relies on our maternity services.'

Other services including community midwifery, scans, birth planning, ultrasound clinics and antenatal outpatient clinics will remain in northern Devon.

Over 300 women and birthing people who are 34 weeks pregnant or more, as well as those identified as vulnerable or clinically high risk, have been contacted to discuss their individual circumstances, care plans and the travel and transport support available.

The trust said it has begun work to restore births at North Devon District Hospital as quickly and safely as possible.