You may be aware that Lumsden Primary Maternity was closed by the SDHB in April 2019.

Since the closure, within 30 days, 3 babies have been born in less than ideal circumstances a small distance from the former Lumsden Primary Maternity Centre.

Had Lumsden been open and with a legally required second midwife present at these 3 births, these mothers would of welcomed their babies into a warm fit for purpose maternity unit. Safe in the knowledge there was a midwife supporting both the mother and the baby.

The Northern Southland Community says that this situation is not ok. The emergency arrival of 3 different babies in less than satisfactory circumstances in the same location proves beyond doubt that the predecessors to the SDHB were correct in that, although there may be a lower birth rate, the sitting of the maternity centre at Lumsden provided a crucial layer of safety for all mothers and babies and their whanau in the region.

Please write to the Rt. Hon Jacinda Ardern, and Dr. David Clark demanding that the Lumsden Maternity centre be reinstated right now!

Jacinda.Ardern@parliament.govt.nz

david.clark@parliament.govt.nz