Representatives from the Southern District Health Board (DHB) and the Fiordland Medical Practice (FMP) say they have confirmed their agreement for maternal and child hub services in Te Anau.

A joint statement from SDHB executive director for strategy primary and maternity Lisa Gestro and Fiordland Medical Practice GP Dr Stephen Hoskin says the health board is leasing space for the local LMC midwife in the Fiordland Community House adjacent to the medical clinic.

"In the coming months, we will work together to progress the further development of facilities, including development of an additional maternity-specific treatment room"

The statement says a special bed for the medical centre has been purchased that will better support rapid births, in the case of such an emergency.

"Other equipment being provided include a CTG (Cardiotocography) for monitoring foetal heartbeat and contractions, an emergency birth kit and emergency resuscitation equipment, as well as relief midwifery equipment, all necessary medications and consumables."

A medical centre staff member and former midwife has been designated the hub coordinator and will lead the organisation of hub services at the facility, the statement says.

"The coordinator and other staff are being trained on the use of the emergency equipment and will assist midwives with orientation to the facility - including access to rooms and equipment, medication, and familiarisation with emergency transport and hospital protocols.

"Southern DHB is offering free maternity emergency education at PROMPT sessions to FMP staff and area midwives, many of whom have already taken up the training."

Though the hub is not intended as a planned place of birth, lead midwives will have access to the Fiordland Medical Centre facility in case of an emergency birth.

"We have a shared, continued commitment to primary maternity services in the area and we are grateful to LMC midwives and others health providers in the community for their willingness to work with us productively."