Pregnant woman holding hands on belly indoors Photo: 123RF
A second Waikato birthing centre in a matter of days has announced it is closing its doors because of a chronic shortage of midwives.
Waihi Lifecare's owners said they were left with "no options" but to close its maternity facility after negotiations with health leaders ultimately failed.
The closure was announced on Wednesday, less than a week after Huntly's Birthcare confirmed it would close on 31 October.
The birthing centre will be replaced by 11 aged residential care beds, with plans to renovate the existing space.
Staffing was pinpointed as a major factor in both decisions, as nationwide shortages continue to bite for regional health services.
Waihi Lifecare co-owner Helen Watson said a lack of independent midwives had resulted in a large proportion of maternity care services moving to hospital settings.
"We have spent the last couple of years in negotiations with the Waikato DHB, but there has been no solution to this fundamental issue."
The community reacted with sadness on the facility's Facebook page.
Waihi Lifecare also operated a boutique hospital, rest home and retirement village.
Watson said renovations to the maternity centre will begin next month.
"We have identified a concerning shortage of aged care beds for hospital, palliative, respite and GP patients locally.
"Following extensive consultation and a provisional audit, we have received approval from Te Whatu Ora to open 11 aged residential care beds in what was previously the birthing centre."
Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand - said it had received notice from that the Waihi Lifecare Birthing Centre would close.
"Additional primary birthing support is available in Bethlehem while secondary maternity care is available at Tauranga Hospital. We acknowledge that Waihi community members will need to travel further to access these facilities; however each of these facilities have capacity to support the volumes seen at Waihi last year. Last year there were 37 births at the Waihi facility.
"The Waihi facility operator will be staying in the community and growing the aged care capacity in the area by repurposing the existing birthing facility.
"With midwives working in three sectors, as independents, within private organisations and within Te Whatu Ora, it is acknowledged there is a sector wide shortage of suitably qualified staff and we are currently working to address this in our Health Workforce Plan."