Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker said he was informed today by the Southern DHB that the Lumsden Maternity Centre downgrade will go ahead on Monday (April 15).

It is understood the centre is already effectively closed following the last booked birth at the centre last month. 

Mr Walker said it was a "sad day" for not only the Lumsden community but the Southland community.

Mr Walker wrote to Southern DHB chief executive Chris Fleming, asking for the downgrade to be delayed until the Health Select Committee had decided whether to investigate the downgrade decision.

"The Lumsden Maternity Centre is part of the Southland fabric and today is an incredibly sad day.

"I want to acknowledge all of the midwives, nurses and staff who have worked there over the years and the current Northern Southland Health Company and midwives who have all done an amazing job.”

He said they had tried everything possible to save the centre, including a protest march, a petition and appeals to multiple Ministers and the DHB.

"We’ve shown the rest of New Zealand how passionate we are because we’ve fought the battle with everything we have.

"The only consolidation we can take out of this is if the Health Select Committee decides to investigate the downgrade decision which will give the community some closure, whether the decision is reversed or not.”