No specialist cover for West Coast mums

Some West Coast expectant mothers will have to relocate to Christchurch because the region will have no specialist obstetric and gynaecology (O&G) cover the week after next.

Grey Hospital would have no onsite specialist from Monday morning, July 12, to Friday morning, July 16, the West Coast District Health Board (WCDHB) said today.

The following fortnight also had some staffing issues, said community liaison officer Bryan Jamieson.

"However, recruitment efforts for locum staff are continuing in an effort to eliminate or minimise gaps in specialist coverage. Women expected to birth over the next two months will be kept informed as to the situation as it affects them."

Mr Jamieson said arrangements were now being made for maternity patients at high risk of complications during this time to relocate to Christchurch.

Relocation decisions would be made by the mothers in consultation with their lead maternity carers and Christchurch Women's Hospital. Coast lead maternity carers would have direct access to advice and support from the hospital.

Women due to give birth, who had no history indicating a higher than normal risk, could choose to deliver on the West Coast as normal, or travel to Christchurch.

Mr Jamieson said recruitment efforts for locum staff were continuing, and the timing and duration of service gaps could change.

"At this time we do not forecast any further gaps in obstetric specialist staffing beyond the three-week period indicated above."

The WCDHB announced on Monday that it was facing limited specialist obstetric and gynaecology cover. However, at that stage it expected the main problems late this month.

It will meet "reasonable transport and accommodation costs" for relocating mothers.

A report to tomorrow's hospital advisory committee meeting reveals the DHB has recruited an O & G specialist from overseas, but is still trying to organise supervision to meet New Zealand registration requirements.

- NZPA