St George's Hospital maternity ward in Christchurch to remain open

The maternity ward at St George's Hospital in Christchurch will remain open. Photo / George Heard

The maternity ward at St George's Hospital in Christchurch will remain open.

A decision on the possible closure of the facility was released today.

St George's Hospital chief executive Blair Roxborough said it will endeavour to maintain maternity services for the duration of the existing contract with the Canterbury District Health Board.

The contract runs until June next year.

"While we will remain open for the next year, we still have to overcome the staffing challenges that led to the review. There remains a national shortage of midwives and we appreciate the input from our own maternity staff and Midwives Union MERAS on staffing suggestions. We are once again advertising for midwives," he said.

Roxborough said unless the staffing shortage is resolved in order to maintain safe maternity services, they will still have to further scale back birthing at the hospital.

In March, a proposal for change was presented by the hospital with midwives asked to provide feedback on the proposed changes which included the closure of the birthing unit indefinitely.

The decision not to close the facility, for now, is a "temporary relief" for women and midwives.

College of Midwives advisor, Jacqui Anderson, said the ongoing erosion of women's health and maternity in particular is very concerning.

"We are very pleased with the decision today however it's troubling we are continuing to see that those in the health system with decision-making power, clearly disregard women as mothers, women as midwives and what is best for wāhine and whānau, long-term," she said.

"It's incredibly disappointing that our midwifery-led maternity service is not being properly resourced and supported which affects our ability to deliver the world-leading model of care we have in place. It also affects retention of midwives in the profession and the attractiveness to new graduates."

A petition to keep the maternity ward open, started by Rata Midwives, with more than 30,000 signatures was hand-delivered to hospital staff in April.

Spokesperson and midwife Sheena Ross said the decision is pleasing and they won't
give up fighting for women and babies.

"We are the largest city in the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand population-wise, and we need maternity choices and services that reflect that.

"Our midwives in Christchurch Women's Hospital do an amazing job with the pressure and workload they're dealing with so it makes sense to provide good, easily accessible primary maternity services for women who don't need the bells and whistles of a big
hospital," she said.

Earlier in the year, the issue gained support from Gemma McCaw who shared a lengthy post to Instagram detailing her experience with the hospital.

"St George's Hospital holds a special place in our family's heart as we went there with both of our girls.

"I feel incredibly sad that it looks set to close as with Christchurch Women's Hospital only available for those deemed 'high risk', and Rangiora and Rolleston further away, St George's is the only primary birthing unit in the city [sic]," she said at the time.