Midwife ends short contract

Lumsden's back-up midwife has finished her short-term contract, leaving expectant Northern Southland mothers dependent on a Facebook messenger group, Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker says.

''When an expectant mother goes into labour, a message will be sent, and the midwife will rely on someone seeing and reacting to the message in time.

''The system is completely untested and expectant mothers are anxious.''

Maternity services in the town have been in the spotlight since the Lumsden Maternity Centre became a maternal and child hub as part of a Southern District Health Board review.

The temporary midwife started in July after discussions between residents, midwives, local government and the SDHB.