Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) partially reversed its controversial policy in which Queenstown birthing mums needing emergency transfers could only go to Dunedin rather than much-closer Invercargill.
Health New Zealand Southern chief midwife Karen Ferraccioli said “following feedback and careful consideration” if a helicopter was not available to fly the mother-to-be to Dunedin, for example due to bad weather, the patient would be transferred by ambulance from Queenstown’s Lakes District Hospital to the Southland maternity unit, in Invercargill.
Ms Ferraccioli said patient safety remained the top priority underpinning the change.
“Southland Hospital will be given advance notice to expect a patient transfer.
“Patients transferred to Southland Hospital by road will be prioritised, assessed and managed in line with normal clinical practice.”
The amended policy took effect late last month.
HNZ introduced its trial late last year, citing Dunedin Hospital’s better staffing, bed availability and specialist care.
Former mayor Jim Boult last month said the move was “stupid”.
Two hours’ travel to Invercargill “was doable, but three and a-half hours to Dunedin is not acceptable”.
Making matters worse, during urgent transfers in labour, only the birthing mother may travel by ambulance or chopper, meaning long drives for partners and support people.
In time, the number of maternity transfers may decline as an improvement in local maternity services formed part of the government’s $180 million commitment, made last week, to improving healthcare in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago.
