Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt has said the temporary suspension of maternity services at Yeovil Hospital is a serious concern for rural families and has joined calls for urgent assurances over the future of local hospital care.

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust announced earlier this month that Yeovil's birthing unit and special care baby unit (SCBU) would close for at least six months following a warning from the Care Quality Commission over unsafe care. Since then, parents across the Mendip area have raised fears over the long-term future of the services and the impact of travel for those expecting a baby.

Speaking after the decision, Ms Munt said: "I was greatly concerned to read that maternity services are to be 'temporarily' suspended at Yeovil Hospital.

"Following on from the ongoing concerns over the future of the stroke unit in Yeovil, my colleagues and I are seeking urgent assurance over the commitment of the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to the Yeovil site.

"Every rural community deserves access to quality hospital care – it shouldn't be a luxury, it's a necessity. I will always campaign to fund our local hospitals."

Parents from across Wells, Glastonbury, Street and the surrounding Mendip villages have expressed frustration that they were given little notice ahead of the closure, which came into force on 19 May. Many now face journeys to Taunton, Bath or Salisbury to give birth.

The NHS Somerset ICB chief executive, Jonathan Higman, told a meeting of the Integrated Care Board on Thursday (May 22) that the decision had been made to protect patient safety and was not financially motivated.

He said the trust was working hard to recruit new paediatric staff and a formal progress report would be presented in August. However, he admitted there was no guarantee the service would reopen in the short term.

"We recognise that the announcement to temporarily close the maternity unit and SCBU at Yeovil Hospital is deeply concerning for local people," he said.

"It was an extremely difficult decision. It's not one we take lightly, but it was necessary to ensure safe delivery of care. Outpatient maternity services remain open, and we're working closely with neighbouring trusts to provide care."

While the trust maintains that the decision was independent from the ongoing changes to Yeovil's stroke services, local campaigners remain sceptical. Both the stroke unit and maternity services have faced staffing challenges in recent months, and campaigners fear further downgrading of rural provision.

Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, said this week he remained "deeply concerned" and would continue to put pressure on NHS Somerset for transparency and a clear plan to reinstate services.

Wells and Mendip residents who had planned to give birth at Yeovil have also reported anxiety around emergency transfers and the emotional toll of uncertainty.

One Glastonbury parent, who asked not to be named, said: "We chose Yeovil because it was the closest option where we felt supported. Now we're being told to go to Musgrove Park, which is over an hour away on a good day. It's just not realistic for everyone, especially in labour."

NHS Somerset has said an average of three to four births a day are affected and that capacity has been expanded at Musgrove Park, Bath, Salisbury and Dorset County hospitals. They insist no budgets have been diverted and that the closure is likely to result in higher costs due to the complexity of care arrangements.

Ms Munt said she would continue pushing for answers.

"I've heard from families across my constituency who feel let down and left behind. These aren't numbers on a spreadsheet – these are real people trying to plan for one of the most important moments of their lives," she said.

"NHS leaders must not lose sight of that. I will keep fighting for safe, accessible maternity services for every family in Somerset."

A full public update is expected in September following the internal review.