High risk expectant mothers in Greymouth will be relocated to Christchurch tomorrow due to a lack of obstetric and gynaecology specialists at Grey Base Hospital.
West Coast District Health Board has arranged with Canterbury District Health Board to provide services in Christchurch from 4pm tomorrow until 10am Friday, community liaison officer Bryan Jamieson said.
Expectant mothers assessed as high risk were being asked to relocate to Christchurch over this period, he said.
Low risk services would remain available at Grey Base Hospital.
Affected women would be advised by their lead maternity carer.
Mr Jamieson said reasonable travel and accommodation costs would be met by the DHB.
He said the DHB was continuing to face tight staffing for this service due to a shortage of New Zealand registered specialists, and further service disruptions were possible in the future.
The board would work with other DHBs to address staffing shortages and would continue to make extensive efforts to find specialist cover.
