12. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he stand by his reported comments, regarding the $100 “bribe” for Wellington mothers to leave hospital within hours of giving birth, that this was “one organisation’s response to a staff shortage and was not Government policy.”; if so, is he confident that the safety of mothers and children is a priority throughout the New Zealand public health system?
What immediate action will he take to prevent a repeat of the tragic death of the baby reported here in Wellington today—and all members of the House will have great sympathy for the parents—and does he now understand the consequences of hospitals bullying midwives and mothers to get out and go home within hours of giving birth?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
May I first say that I share the member’s deep sense of sorrow at this recent tragedy. There is no sufficient answer for any parent who has lost a child, and I think all members’ hearts go out to this family and any others who have been in a similar circumstance. The Government takes this situation and any like it very, very seriously. We expect district health boards around the country to take it similarly seriously. By saying that the previous policy of Capital and Coast District Health Board was not Government policy, I think we have made very clear the Government’s expectations and that it was not appropriate. Having said that, this case did not reflect that policy, for several reasons. Firstly, this mother would not have been covered because she was a first-time mother and that policy applied only to second and subsequent births. Secondly, there was no bed shortage in the case of this birth, and there is no evidence that I have seen that, to quote the member, the mother was “bullied” out of hospital.
Hon Marian HobbsHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Perhaps the most telling indicator of the Government’s concern and effective action on it is that the infant mortality rate has declined from 7.1 deaths per 1,000 births in 1997 to 4.8 deaths per 1,000 in 2006. That is a 33 percent reduction. Additionally, of course, the Government has undertaken the MeNZB mass immunisation campaign, which has lowered the number of cases of new meningococcal B meningitis by 57 percent. However, I repeat that any infant death is a tragedy, and despite this progress we will relentlessly pursue further improvements. Our heart goes out to any family who suffers this kind of loss.
Barbara StewartWill he be approaching the country’s 3,000 general practitioners to find out how many of them would be willing to resume providing maternity services in order to alleviate the ongoing midwife shortage and provide a safer service; if not, why not?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I have received a copy of some reporting on the nationwide workforce priority accorded to the midwifery sector. I am certainly willing to work constructively with the member and others to look at all options to address the shortfalls, and I encourage district health boards to do the same.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou. Is the Minister aware that last weekend a woman went into the Capital and Coast District Health Board delivery suite to have her sixth child and was told that she had to go home even though she did not want to, and what action will he be taking with that district health board to address its deliberate refusal to comply with his statement last week that “no woman who needs to be in hospital after giving birth will be sent home.”?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
In the first case, if a member wishes to discuss an individual case or to seek information on it, it is always helpful either to get the name in advance or for it to be done in a primary question. Notwithstanding that, I understand that the district health board has had conversations with the Ministry of Health that would underline the point that no mother who is in need of care in hospital should be discharged and that no baby who is in need of care should be so discharged. I understand that the chief executive reaffirmed that position in recent days. Notwithstanding that, I remain very concerned and increasingly concerned at the situation at Capital and Coast District Health Board. I have recently issued a statement clarifying that I am seeking urgent advice on the options available to me, and a further announcement will be made shortly.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What will he introduce to respond to the fact that the number of annual practising certificates issued to midwives has decreased significantly, from 4,914 in 2002-03 to 2,857 in 2005-06, and what does he believe has caused such a severe decrease in midwives?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It would not be appropriate for me to try to diagnose the problems of the midwifery sector. I do note that the District Health Boards New Zealand organisation has listed that sector as one of its top two workforce priorities, and that it is receiving the full support of the Ministry of Health in addressing a strategy for ensuring we have sufficient midwifery care around New Zealand.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What will this Government be doing to address the training and retention of midwives in the sector?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
As I have just said, the Government will be working closely with District Health Boards New Zealand around a strategy for ensuring that shortages are filled. It is very important that mothers and children around New Zealand get the care they deserve.
Has the Minister seen reports that the Maternity Service Consumer Council says that district health board managers up and down the country are bullying—its word—midwives to get new mothers out of hospital quicker and quicker; and should not New Zealand mothers be entitled to more?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It is always ironic when a member from a party that has long championed unaffordable tax cuts becomes the champion of more social services, because it is exactly those kinds of trade-offs that this Government, since it became elected in 1999, has stood to address. That is why there are 33 percent fewer dead babies under this Government than when that member’s party was in Government.
Will the Minister meet with the Maternity Service Consumer Council, which has said that this sort of thing is happening up and down the country as we speak and that other hospitals are sitting on time bombs like this; and will he meet to discuss with the Maternity Service Consumer Council the fact that the council says that midwives around this country are being bullied to discharge mothers home earlier and earlier, and that that is not safe for New Zealand mothers?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I fully respect the member’s efforts to stand up for vulnerable mothers, and I share his concern for those mothers. But the fact is that under this Government our infant mortality rate is one-third less than it was when that member’s party was in power. Of course, discussions will continue with District Health Boards New Zealand to ensure that Government policy is given effect to, and we will relentlessly pursue opportunities for improvement in this sector.