The St George's Hospital maternity unit in Christchurch, New Zealand is set to close in June 2023 as the hospital has been unable to agree to a contr
The St George’s Hospital maternity unit in Christchurch, New Zealand is set to close in June 2023 as the hospital has been unable to agree to a contract extension with the health agency. The unit has been running at a loss, and the nationwide midwife shortage has meant the hospital has struggled to maintain safe staffing levels. While more than 6,000 babies are born in Canterbury each year, only ten births and 34 postnatal transfers on average each month have been taking place at the hospital’s unit recently. Most births and postnatal stays are cared for at Te Whatu Ora’s maternity service.
