Pregnant women on the West Coast are being warned there will be no obstetric care for several days next week because of staffing problems.
West Coast DHB chief medical officer Dr Carol Artmore says an arrangement for a locum to cover leave being taken by the specialist for the West Coast has fallen through.
Services such as planned and emergency caesarean sections, inductions and other obstetric procedures will not be available between 4pm om Monday to 8pm Thursday.
Dr Artmore says about 45 pregnant women may be affected and they should discuss their care plans with their lead maternity carer as they may need to travel or be transferred to Christchurch.
She says the DHB will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs.
