Jessie
Curran, Digital Journalist
Mothers and
newborns across the country could be offered a minimum of a
three-day hospital stay if a new bill is successful, but
there are concerns the maternity system does not have
capacity.
The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day
Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill proposes the 48 hours of
funded inpatient post-natal care currently available, be
upped to 72 hours.
The bill also requires the lead
maternity carer to let the mother know what she is eligible
for.
National MP Catherine Wedd put the bill forward,
which aims to support more mothers and improve essential
postnatal care.
The bill has been largely supported,
but resourcing concerns have been raised by cross-party MP’s
in the bill’s
first reading and in many of the written
submissions.
Founder and chief executive of Birth
Trauma Aotearoa Kate Hicks said she supported the intent of
the bill, but had a few concerns.
“Currently maternity
systems and services across Aotearoa are very stretched, and
sometimes it is even the cause of people’s psychological
trauma relating to birth.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
“So what we need to know is
how will the extra day be recognised and
resourced.
“Many of the organisations and individuals
I’ve talked to, that’s been one of their central concerns.
It’s a brilliant idea, the intention of the bill is
fantastic, but how is it going to be realised, how are we
going to resource these changes.”
Hicks said it was
important to ensure that any postnatal care and changes to
the maternity sector were trauma informed – meaning the
system and carers are aware of possible trauma and care is
adjusted according.
“Having an extra day’s stay in
hospital could be great for many reasons, however, if we
really want to make significant change for birthing parents
and whānau, we need those improved services.
“There
are many existing services across New Zealand but they are
often run on the smell of an oily rag.
“So really, if
we want to make these significant changes, supporting these
existing services, building those existing services would be
hugely beneficial,” she said.
In response, National MP
Catherine Wedd said “resourcing needs will be better
understood once this policy is in place”.
“The
government has been working hard to get on top of workforce
shortages and already we have seen 2000 more nurses and
positive workforce outcomes.
“In the past year, we
have also seen an extra 97 FTE midwives.”
Wedd said
she was talking to midwives who are currently re-entering
the workforce.
The bill had its first reading in the
house in December last year, with oral submissions to be
heard by the select committee on Wednesday.
Wedd said
she was looking forward to hearing the submissions and
considering the
feedback.
New Zealand’s public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
