SDHB lays out Wanaka and Cromwell maternity options

From the Southern District Health Board:

Southern DHB has worked alongside the Central Lakes Locality Network to engage with stakeholders and local communities to develop options to meet the need for primary birthing facilities.

Mary Cleary Lyons, General Manager, Primary and Population Health, Southern DHB said that a public meeting in Cromwell on Thursday this week (4.00 pm Cromwell Presbyterian Church) will share feedback received from the public consultation so far, and present options around the configuration of maternity services in the area for people to consider.

During the consultation process, over 300 responses to an online form have been received, and meetings have been 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 on a location for a primary maternity facility, with the following priorities identified:

• 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.

Based on this feedback, the proposed four options are being presented for consideration at the public meeting.

Option One:

• Locate a single new facility at Cromwell
• Decommission Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital
• Supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Wanaka, Alexandra and Ranfurly
• Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence

Option Two:

• Locate a single new primary birthing unit in Clyde at Dunstan Hospital
• Decommission Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital
• Supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Wanaka and Ranfurly
• Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence

Option Three:

• Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka AND
• Retain the current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean)
• Supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell
• Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence

Option Four:

• Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka AND
• Relocate the current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean) to be co-located with Dunstan Hospital in Clyde
• Supplemented by Maternal and Child Hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell
• Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence

“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.”

“All of the scenarios represent an increased investment in primary maternity services in this area, and we are pleased to be working with women, families and health care providers to provide this important care.”

In addition to the public meeting on 23 July, people can provide feedback online https://www.engage.southernhealth.nz/maternity

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.