A petition to save Yeovil's maternity services is gaining momentum as outrage grows over the sudden closure of the town's birthing unit—leaving expectant parents in Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Shepton Mallet facing long, risky journeys to give birth.

The inpatient maternity unit and Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil Hospital will officially shut down from 5pm on Monday 19 May, following a damning Care Quality Commission (CQC) report that raised urgent safety concerns.

But campaigners say rather than investing in improvements and staff, NHS bosses are abandoning thousands of families—and many fear the closure won't be temporary.

"They say six months, but that's what they said in Okehampton—and it never reopened," reads the online petition, which is already gathering signatures from across Somerset. "We can't let that happen here."

The closure means families across mid-Somerset will now have to travel to Taunton, Dorchester or Bath to give birth—despite warnings that those hospitals are already stretched and some have their own safety issues.

The petition states: "Musgrove Park was rated inadequate. Dorchester requires improvement. Bath is rated outstanding—but it's more than an hour's drive away and public transport is dire."

Lib Dem MP for Yeovil Adam Dance has condemned the move, accusing NHS officials of failing families and refusing to give straight answers about whether the unit will ever return.

"This is deeply unsettling and unacceptable," he said. "Families in Yeovil—and across Somerset—deserve more than vague promises. They deserve answers, action and proper access to care. Right now, they're being thrown under the bus."

NHS officials say the decision was made after "careful consideration" due to a lack of senior paediatricians and concerns about safe staffing.

Dr Melanie Iles, chief medical officer for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: "High levels of staff sickness among senior paediatricians mean we can't guarantee safe care during labour or for newborns needing extra support."

Routine outpatient services like check-ups, scans and midwife appointments will still take place at Yeovil Hospital, and home births remain available—but only for low-risk pregnancies.

The petition, titled "Save Yeovil Maternity Services", demands that more neonatal doctors be hired immediately and calls on Musgrove Park Hospital's neonatal team to help cover Yeovil in the interim.

It warns that over 180,000 people rely on Yeovil Hospital—and losing its maternity unit could put lives at risk.

"This is not an adequate service for Somerset families," the petition states. "Longer journeys, overstretched hospitals and downgraded care are not good enough."

The campaign is urging Somerset residents to sign and share the petition to force NHS bosses and local leaders to act before it's too late.

You can sign the petition here: change.org/p/save-yeovil-maternity-services