Two Liberal Democrat MPs, representing Somerset constituencies, are calling for urgent action to improve maternity care.
Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, and Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil, have raised concerns about conditions at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton following a recent visit.
The pair wanted to see first-hand the challenges facing the maternity unit, which has come under increasing pressure since the closure of Yeovil Hospital’s maternity and special care baby units.
Mr Amos said: "It was brilliant to meet such dedicated and hard-working midwives and medics but they shouldn't have to contend with 30-degree heat in summer nor with rain coming into the building in winter.
"That's not good enough for local mums and babies and it's not good enough for our NHS staff either."
Although a new maternity and children’s unit at Musgrove Park has been included in the government’s funding programme, construction is not scheduled to begin until 2033.
Mr Amos said: "The government must use its upcoming budget to provide urgent funding to tackle the hopelessly outdated condition of Musgrove's maternity buildings.
"They were built as a temporary measure for the US Army in the 1940s but are still in use today."
He also backed efforts to restore services in Yeovil, adding: "I'm also right behind Adam's work to get maternity services back open at Yeovil – that's the right solution for all involved."
Mr Dance said: "It was important to see first-hand just how stretched the maternity team at Musgrove Park Hospital is.
"The closure of Yeovil’s unit has had a huge impact, and staff here are doing an incredible job under difficult circumstances."
He warned the current situation was unsustainable.
He said: "We cannot expect mothers, babies and staff to keep bearing the brunt of government delays.
"Somerset needs investment now – not in 2033.
"I’ll keep pressing for a clear plan to restore safe, accessible maternity care across our county."
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