10 Feb 2020

Opotiki maternity unit reopens but its future still uncertain

From Morning Report, 8:19 am on 10 February 2020

Women in Opotiki can give birth in their home town again - but could face a dark wait in the carpark if their babies arrive at night.

People marched in the streets in December when the Bay of Plenty DHB announced it was closing its maternity unit until March.

It's now worked with midwives, and trained ambulance workers and nurses to help, so the unit can reopen early.

But its future is still uncertain.

RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn reports.