'We told you so!' Baby born on side of road in Southland, MP continues to call for maternity unit

Clutha Southland MP Hamish Walker and Lumsden midwife Sarah Stokes at the spot where the baby was delivered. Photo / Supplied

A baby was born on the side of a Southland road this morning because of a lack maternity services in Lumsden, the local MP says.

The expectant mother travelled from a farm about 30 minutes from Te Anau to Lumsden about 5am this morning to meet her midwife, Sarah Stokes.

Once she arrived in Lumsden, it was quickly decided to send her to Invercargill because there was no oxygen supply in the town or any back-up for Stokes.

But about 20 minutes out of Lumsden, the baby boy was born on the side of the road.

It has been more than a month since the Lumsden Maternity Centre was downgraded as part of a region-wide overhaul of maternity services by the Southern District Health Board. Critics say the promised maternity services meant to replace the clinic have not been delivered.

I am outraged. I hate to say it, but we told you so. A baby was born on the side of the road this morning just south of Lumsden. We are serious - is it going to take a death before the SDHB and Government listen to the community and fully reinstate services at the Lumsden Maternity Hospital? I certainly hope not.

Posted by Hamish Walker on Saturday, 25 May 2019

Clutha Southland MP Hamish Walker said it was a huge relief the baby and mother were doing well but it would not have happened if the Government had not cut maternity services in the town.

"I hate to say it, but we told you so. We predicted this was going to happen," said Walker in a video posted his Facebook page this afternoon.

"National has repeatedly said downgrading services in Lumsden would result in a child being born on the side of the road while travelling to Invercargill. We don't like to be proven right in these circumstances.''

Walker said he had written a letter to Minister of Health David Clark three weeks ago advising him the maternity hubs the Government had promised were not up and running.

"The community and I have raised this issue time and time again with the Government. The minister has repeatedly said this is an operational matter but, where the health of mothers and babies are concerned, he needs to act.''

The situation was unacceptable, especially as it was completely avoidable if the centre had simple retained its full services, he said.

The Otago Daily Times has spoken to the mother who said both her and the newborn were doing well.