Clutha Southland MP Hamish Walker said today that Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming had confirmed to him that the change was on track and would proceed as scheduled.
Mr Walker had written to Mr Fleming asking him to delay the process while fellow MPs considered a 5000-signature petition in his name which called for downgrade to be stayed while the basis for the decision was investigated.
The health select committee considered Mr Walker's petition this week, but has made no announcement regarding it.
“This will bring a tear to the eye of all the mothers who have given birth at Lumsden over the decades who have all taken a bit of the centre away with them,” Mr Walker said.
“The Lumsden Maternity Centre is part of the Southland fabric and today is an incredibly sad day.”
The SDHB opted to alter Lumsden's status as part of a region-wide reconsideration of maternity services.
The maternity centre is now being converted to a maternal and child hub.
