The consultation will decide what mix of maternity services will be placed where, to serve families in the region surrounding Wanaka, Alexandra and Cromwell.
The issue was deferred by the Southern District Health Board for further research when it released its region-wide maternity strategy in 2018. It subsequently endured a storm of criticism over its decision as part of that strategy to regrade services in Lumsden.
At a meeting of the SDHB community and public health advisory committee on Monday board member Lesley Soper said given the extreme reaction to the earlier strategy, it was vital enough time be taken to get the plan right.
‘‘If that means we miss the June 30 deadline, I would much rather we take longer to focus on getting this process right, and that we do the consultation that should have taken place with iwi ... we need to take a lot more care with each step of this process.’’
SDHB chairman Dave Cull said previous experience almost guaranteed the board’s resolution would be controversial, and it needed to take great care to properly inform the community why it had come to those conclusions.
‘‘We have to be clear how we communicate the options, the reasons behind the options, the whole thing really, and not just to the obvious stakeholders but to the broader community, as well.
‘‘It doesn’t matter what the final decision is, there will be a number of people who don’t like it ... the important thing is not whether we go fast or we go slow, it is that we go well.’’
A report to the board by primary care and population health general manager Mary Cleary-Lyons and Central Lakes Locality Network chairwoman Helen Telford proposed beginning consultation with a series of interested parties, before a series of workshops and public meetings throughout the region.
The proposals were intended to be publicised by March, consulted on until the end of April, and a final decision made by June 30.
SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said that deadline had been ‘‘aspirational’’ and might not be met, but agreed it was important to have all parties involved.
