The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) today (Tuesday July 21) released four options for the location of a new primary birthing unit in Central Otago, ahead of a community consultation meeting this Thursday (July 23).

The SDHB worked alongside the Central Lakes Locality Network to engage with stakeholders and community representatives to develop the options.

A primary birthing unit is equipped for supporting healthy women with no medical complications through labour, birth, and inpatient postnatal care. Primary maternity facilities have onsite or on-call midwifery support in addition to the woman’s chosen midwife. Wanaka’s nearest primary birthing unit is Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital in Alexandra.

Charlotte Jean, currently Wanaka’s closest birthing unit, may face decommissioning.

SDHB primary and population health general manager Mary Cleary Lyons said the public meeting will share feedback received from the public consultation so far, and present the following four options:

Option One: Locate a single new facility at Cromwell

Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital would be decommissioned. The facility would be supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Wanaka, Alexandra and Ranfurly. There would be emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence.

Option Two: Locate a single new primary birthing unit in Clyde at Dunstan Hospital

Again, Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital would be decommissioned; Maternal and Child Hubs in Wanaka and Ranfurly; Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence.

Option Three: Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka (a)

This option includes retaining the current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean). Supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell, and emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence.

Option Four: Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka (b)

The current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean) to be co-located with Dunstan Hospital in Clyde. Again, supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell, and emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence.

Mary said all four scenarios represent an increased investment in primary maternity services in this area. 

“We have sincerely appreciated the consideration that has been given to this question, and the thoughts our communities and stakeholders have shared with us. It is a complex issue and there are a variety of possible solutions, each of which offer opportunities as we weigh up the priorities involved,” she said.

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More than 300 responses to an online form were received by the SDHB during the first stage of consultation, and meetings were held with stakeholders including midwives, primary care, St John and Māori communities.

Participants were asked their views on the most important issues to consider when deciding a location for a primary maternity facility. Priorities identified included:

• 24/7 midwifery availability at birthing facilities
• Rapid access to urgent transport, especially a helicopter
• Equity of travel times and access to primary birthing facilities for all parts of the region
• Co-location with other health services
• Needs to take account of future population growth
• Quality of the whole pathway of maternal care
• Respectful treatment of Māori patients and whanau
• Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital is highly valued by women and the community.

The full options paper can be read here.

The meeting will be held on Thursday July 23 from 4pm, at Cromwell Presbyterian Church (10 Elspeth Street). People may email questions before the meeting to [email protected].

Feedback from the public meeting and online will be used to formulate a report with recommendations to the Southern District Health Board for its October meeting.

PHOTOS: Supplied