Southland
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker says after today’s meeting with the Directors of the Lumsden Maternity Centre it’s clear there are a number of issues with the process followed to axe the birthing unit and he and the centre are not giving up on the fight to keep it open.
“Today when National’s spokesperson for Health, Michael Woodhouse and I met with Lumsden’s Directors they expressed their dismay at the decision to downgrade the Maternity Centre.
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“They are also concerned that some of the data in the report that the decision to axe Lumsden’s birthing unit was based on is clearly wrong. This could have been cleared up had the authors bothered to speak to Lumsden, but we were told this did not occur.
“We also discussed the implications that this decision would have to the health of mothers and their babies including whether significant birth injuries could occur due to the birthing unit closing. That being the case ACC would surely also be involved in the decision, however, we have been told they were also not consulted at all.
“Options that we spoke to the Directors about for the community to consider include the possibility of judicial review. The Directors will be talking further with community leaders and Lumsden residents on what the way forward is now.
“This is a callous decision from a Government that claims to care about the regions and children but has instead put a vital service in a small rural community at serious risk.
“Along with the uncertainty around the Te Anau rescue helicopter base, these decisions made by bureaucrats behind a desk are a double blow for the rural Southland community.
“When we get the opportunity we will revisit this decision to ensure the people of Lumsden and Central Southland have the maternity services that our population requires.
“This Government has not listened to the serious concerns raised by our community. We will not give up on Lumsden we will continue to work towards maintaining the maternity services that we have.”