It has been revealed that the Whanganui District Health Board conducted a meeting in regard to the shifting of maternity services to Palmerston North. It was first time when all the board members were present in the meeting which continued for three hours.

Whanganui localities were also present in the meeting. The main aim was to see the pros and cons of their decision. The meeting started with an open discussion in which every member was asked to present their views, about the issue.

Majority of the board members were of the view that shifting of maternity care service would not be a healthy option for women and would also deter many young families settle in the area. One of the patients, Polli Minnell, who was also present in the meeting, told that she has received inhuman treatment in the Palmerston North Hospital.

She never wanted to visit the hospital again as the staff had a quite rude behavior with them. Wanganui District councilor Hamish McDouall said that Polli was absolutely right and said that asking a heavily pregnant mother at the end moment would not only be risking their life but also of her child.

It is very important to have fully fledged maternity care unit in the hospital and it is one of the basic necessities as well. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia blamed hospital authorities for not taking serious step for the maternity care unit.

The hospital officials failed to recruit specialized staff for the unit and resultant of which they have been facing so many problems. Refuting the claims being levied by Turia, Julie Patterson, who is Chief Executive of the board, said that they have been trying to tackle the situation.

A further investigation would be conducted to know more about the situation and then a decision would be taken for the future of the maternity care unit.