Home Birth Service Paused in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced an immediate two-week suspension of its home birth service, citing significant concerns for staff safety. The trust has indicated that this temporary pause, which began on Friday, 7th November 2025, could be extended while officials develop a completely new staffing model.
Staffing Challenges Prompt Safety Review
The primary reason for the suspension is the difficulty in safely covering the on-call home birth service, particularly during night hours. A trust spokesperson explained that they were finding it hard to roster staff without risking them working after a full day shift, which could compromise safety for both the midwives and the families they serve.
This issue persists despite the trust successfully recruiting more midwives to its main hospital service over the past two years. The home birth teams, however, require a unique set of skills. These roles demand significant experience and a high degree of autonomy, as midwives must support women during labour at home without the immediate backup of a hospital environment.
Impact on Expectant Families and Future Options
Home births account for a small proportion of deliveries in the county, typically between four to six each month, representing under 2 per cent of the total. The trust has confirmed that it has already directly contacted all women and families who had planned a home birth during this period. Community midwives are discussing alternative birth options with them on an individual basis.
While the home birth service is on hold, other community-based care continues. Community midwives will still provide antenatal care, and midwife-led care remains available at both Stroud Maternity Hospital and the Gloucester Birth Unit. Care and support from midwives and maternity support workers will also continue as usual at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
The trust has apologised for the disappointment this decision will cause but emphasised that its focus must remain on ensuring the absolute safety of all its maternity services, which sometimes necessitates difficult decisions about where and how care is provided.
