Whanganui District Health Board says it may not need to shift its specialist medical services for pregnant women to Palmerston North after all.
The board was considering moving all specialist care such as epidurals, caesareans and inductions to Palmerston North because it didn't have enough staff.
The move, which would have affected about 400 women a year, has drawn criticism from the local community and the College of Midwives.
The DHB says a new specialist has accepted an offer to work at Wanganui Hospital, and it has also made an offer to another specialist.
While both appointments are yet to be finalised, it's cautiously optimistic it won't have to shift services out of the region.
