Christchurch midwives and their supporters have matched to St George’s Hospital in Merivale and hand-delivered a petition of more than 30,000 people, to keep the maternity unit open.

The petition was created by Rata Midwives.

Midwife Sheena Ross said the potential closure would devastate the birthing sector of Christchurch.

“Evidence is clear that removing this choice for women will result in harm.”

“We are in the midst of a pandemic, the extra pressure this closure will place on Christchurch Womens, will result in harm.”

“The CDHB have a responsibility to provide safe care to the people of Canterbury. Removing funding reduces beds, choice, and will result in harm.”

“This is a community resource run by a charitable trust and profit should not be a motive, the St Georges Board and Governors should be guided by their responsibility for community safety.”

St George’s Hospital Chief Executive Blair Roxborough thanked the organisers of the petition, but gave nothing away.

When asked if the decision was already made, he said “today wasn’t about that, and it was operational.”