A report has revealed recently that as per a regional maternity service plan, critical care specialists would only be based at Palmerston North hospital. The proposal reads that needy in Whanganui and MidCentral DHBs would have to take specialist maternity care from Palmerston North hospital only.

It is being said that pregnant women in Whanganui and mid-central district health boards would have to commute to the Palmerston North to give birth, as per the proposal. The report has unfolded that the proposal is about to be considered by both the districts, as these have been facing shortages in care specialists for the maternity units.

Dr. Digby Ngan Kee, who is the Regional Clinical Director of obstetrics and gynaecology, has told that they have been trying to employ maternity care specialists seeking long term relationships with them for a large number of years. But, their endeavours have been continuously failing since long as specialists prefer to work in main regions.

According to the findings, specialists’ demand to work in the main centres has made it difficult for the district health boards to recruit as well as retain them for years. Dr. Ngan Kee further told that it is not only the problem of the two districts, but many other small centres as well.

It is thus being decided by the Whanganui and MidCentral DHBs to accept the proposal, which says that specialist maternity care would be provided from Palmerston North Hospital, wherein specialists choose themselves to work. Also, pregnant women with birth complications would have to travel to the hospital only. The final decision would be probably made by April, says the report.

"We have explored many alternatives and, from a clinical perspective, the proposed change is the only viable option”, adds Dr. Digby Ngan Kee.