Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker says two babies have now been born in the Lumsden area in just 11 days, unable to make it to a primary birthing facility.

“Today, in just 55 minutes from the call being made to the midwife, the baby had arrived,” he said.

“Luckily this baby was born at the Lumsden Child and Maternal Hub, an emergency birthing facility, instead of on the side of the road.”

Mr Walker said this birth, 11 days after a baby was born in an ambulance on the side of the road, was further proof that the maternal and child hub was not fit for purpose and there was a huge need for primary birthing facilities in Lumsden.

“Two births in 11 days in the Lumsden area shows how vital the Lumsden Maternity Centre was, as neither had time to make it to a primary birthing facility,” he said.

“The downgrade of the centre should not have gone ahead and it is Southland mothers and babies who are now at risk."

”No matter how prepared any mother is, when the closest primary birthing facility is over an hour away, babies will be born on the side of the road, or in the emergency hubs.”

Mr Walker claimed today's new mother had described having to wrap up her new born 8lb 31/2oz baby in minus 1-degree weather and having to leave for the nearest primary birthing facility as "heart-wrenching".

“On May 27 2019, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was happy to take another look at the maternity services in Lumsden – what has she done since this time?” Mr Walker said.

“It’s now time for her to act and reinstate full services at the Lumsden Maternity Centre and stop putting Southland mothers and babies at risk.”

He said the hub model was clearly not working and he restated National promise to reinstate full services at the Lumsden Maternity Centre if elected to govern next year.