In Dunedin, maternity care is delivered at the Queen Mary Maternity Centre in the main ward block of the hospital.
But Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli said work was under way to "enhance the antenatal and postnatal environment for our whānau by looking after them in the community rather than in a hospital setting".
"We are presently running some obstetrics-led antenatal clinics at the new Te Kāika wellbeing hub in Caversham, with the goal of offering better flexibility for pregnant people whose medical needs can be met outside of a hospital environment.
"These clinics are the same as those offered at Dunedin Hospital and delivered by the same staff members."
Ms Ferraccioli said if members of the community could not find an available lead maternity carer due to the midwifery shortage affecting New Zealand, they were referred to the outreach midwifery team, co-located at the Queen Mary Maternity Centre.
"Our midwifery outreach service is also planning to join our obstetrician colleagues to offer antenatal and postnatal clinics at Te Kāika, rather than at the hospital.
"Feedback so far from patients who have been cared for at Te Kāika is that they have appreciated the beautiful new space, including how quiet it is, and how much easier it is to park there and get to in general."
Midwifery employee representation and advisory services co-leader Caroline Conroy said the move could be a good idea, as the existing maternity ward was "constrained" in its size.
"If it’s a good venue then it often makes it much easier for women to attend appointments, because you’re not having to deal with hospital car parking.
"Hopefully, it’s a nice venue for the midwives to work from."
Ms Conroy understood the move was not part of cost-saving measures for the new Dunedin hospital project.
"They have talked about this for a little while ... So it’s not a cost saving; it’s more about relieving the hospital site, which is often really congested."
