Maternity stakeholders commit to support for LMC midwives in Northern Southland

Maternity stakeholders commit to support for LMC midwives in Northern Southland

Key stakeholders met last night to progress efforts to support sustainable midwifery services for the Northern Southland region and to ensure that women and babies continue to have access to maternity care in their area.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Southern DHB, local midwives, GPs, Ministry of Health, NZ College of Midwives, Gore Health and the Northern Southland Medical Trust, and was chaired by Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks.

The group affirmed its commitment to immediately put in place additional support for midwives in the area.

Options were discussed including back up and locum midwifery support, and a commitment was made to continue conversations to develop specific options.

Mayor Hicks says he was pleased with the progress in the meeting.

“The meeting was a positive step in providing an opportunity to share understandings, and we thank everyone for their attendance and participation. The right people were in the room and have agreed to work collaboratively in finding solutions that work for our maternity workforce and our community.

“We will share further details once these options have been more fully developed.”