5. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What matters contributed to the decision to undertake an independent review of maternity services in Wellington?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) Link to this
A recent case at Capital and Coast District Health Board involving an independent midwife was brought to my attention. I was concerned that the district health board’s ability to investigate may be limited because it was not the midwife’s employer. I have asked for the review because I want the specialist review team to look at the interface between the district health board and independent providers, and report to me on whether there are issues that require action in order to ensure public safety and confidence.
Why did the Government reject the November 2005 recommendation of the Wellington Coroner that there be an independent review of maternity services following the deaths of two babies in Wellington, and also reject a call for an independent review following the Health and Disability Commissioner’s recommendations for stricter midwifery supervision in hospitals—one of the key failures behind the latest tragedy?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I do not believe that the key issue unaccounted for in this latest case is that of internal hospital procedures, but I am particularly interested to have regard to the interface between independent and hospital-based midwifery.
Barbara StewartIs it true that although Capital and Coast District Health Board investigates all unexpected baby deaths in its facilities, the participation of self-employed lead maternity carers in these reviews is voluntary, and not all practitioners choose to participate; if so, why is such an absence of accountability considered acceptable?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I am advised that lead maternity carers cooperate actively with the district health board. However, I concur with the member that it is essential that accountability arrangements are rigorous, and this will be covered in the current review.
If the Government had acted on the recommendations of the Wellington Coroner, instead of rejecting them, could not this latest tragedy have been avoided?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
What the public will not be able to see is any reference to maternity services in the National Party’s discussion document on health, nor will they be able to find any reference to maternity policy in any National Party document because one has not yet been published. I think that in a case as heartfelt and sad as this it is important for us all to focus on solutions rather than politics. [ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERI do not think the Minister addressed the question. Could he please address the question. Does the member want to ask the question again?
If the Government had acted on the recommendations of the Wellington Coroner instead of rejecting them, could not this latest tragedy have been avoided?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I think it would be as well for all members of the House not to pre-empt the findings of three case-specific reviews currently under way in respect of that case, all of which involve quite proper natural justice processes. I am advised that the Health and Disability Commissioner is investigating, the coroner is involved, and there will, of course, be a serious and sentinel events review by the district health board. I think we should all extend our sympathy to the family, for whom no words can adequately address the suffering they feel, and wait for the facts to come out in the proper way through those processes.
What is the Minister doing now that could not have been done after the recommendations of the Wellington Coroner’s report; and, if the Government had acted then on the widespread concern about New Zealand’s maternity services, could not that baby be alive today?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
This Minister acted immediately he received the email from Dr Moala by ringing the doctor and finding out whether there was anything that could be done to help the family, and what the circumstances of that family were. That was a very difficult and moving phone call. I would respectfully contrast that with the actions of the National Party, which received the same email but did not contact either the family or the doctor—
Bob ClarksonHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
—because the doctor told me—but instead, without the permission of the family, leaked the email to the media, in breach of the family’s right to privacy. I think that is one of the saddest and most craven political acts I have seen in my time in this House.
Why will no one in the Government take responsibility for the fact that Ministers opposite failed to act on the recommendation of the Wellington Coroner, and if the Government had acted on the recommendations, then this latest tragedy may not have occurred?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
As I have explained to the member, it is too soon to know whether there could be any possible connection between the recommendations of reports of previous years and this case, because we do not have access to the three case reviews that are currently under way on the facts of this case. Now, if it turns out that there are lessons to be drawn directly from those, I give the member and the family my personal assurance that that action will be taken.