Dargaville maternity unit opening delayed

Plans to re-open Dargaville Hospital's maternity unit on Monday have been put on hold because of staffing problems.

The hospital's operations manager Janet Smart said three of five people hired by the hospital were unable to start next week because of personal difficulties, including family illness.

Dargaville Hospital's maternity unit shut on May 8.

Ms Smart said the unit closed because there was no longer someone available around the clock to deliver babies, a requirement by law.