Lumsden Maternity Centre. Photo: Guy WilliamsThe downgrade of services at Lumsden Maternity Centre will go ahead on Monday as scheduled, despite Parliament's health select committee still considering a petition to maintain the centre's status as a primary birthing unit. The health select committee considered Mr Walker's petition this week, but has made no announcement regarding it. “The Lumsden Maternity Centre is part of the Southland fabric and today is an incredibly sad day.”The SDHB opted to alter Lumsden's status as part of a region-wide reconsideration of maternity services. The maternity centre is now being converted to a maternal and child hub.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 12, 2019 03:56 UTC