The maternity centre is being converted to a maternal and child hub, as part of the Southern District Health Board's (SDHB) region-wide review of maternity services.
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker, who on Wednesday appeared before Parliament's health select committee to support a 5000-signature petition in his name which called for downgrade to be stayed, was bitterly disappointed the SDHB had not waited for the committee to make its decision.
"We've tried everything possible to save the centre - a protest march, a petition and appeals to multiple ministers and the DHB," Mr Walker said.
"We've shown the rest of New Zealand how passionate we are because we've fought the battle with everything we have."
SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming wrote to Mr Walker this week to confirm the transition would continue.
"While we respect your right to represent your constituents, we remain committed to our decision," he said.
"We are not prepared to further delay the ... the changes, and as such the transition ... will progress as planned.
"I appreciate that you will not agree with our decision, however we have made this on the basis of the entire strategy and what is in the best interest for our broad district as a whole."
Yesterday the SDHB also released a letter from the Ministry of Health to Mr Fleming, which said it continued to fully support the integrated maternity system the board was launching.
"It is evident that you have developed a future-focused primary maternity plan that aligns with the Government's wider priority around strengthening maternity care.
"As with any new service delivery model, we encourage you to monitor changes to ensure that women are able to access the new service arrangements as intended."
However, locals remain unconvinced, with residents writing to the Otago Daily Times to express their concern.
One called the hub "a complete joke", saying no-one had been appointed to run it and no-one knew what services it would provide.
Another said there had been no consultation with locals about how the co-ordinator position would work and what responsibilities it would entail.
SDHB primary and community executive director Lisa Gestro said recruitment of the co-ordinator was being handled by Gore Health and was in progress; a qualified Southern DHB-employed midwife would act as co-ordinator in the meantime.
