7. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What announcements has the Government made with respect to maternity services?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Last week the Government announced that it will spend an extra $103.5 million over 4 years—
—$103.5 million over 4 years—to boost maternity services for new parents. This announcement of financial support includes over $38 million for new mothers to have the option to stay longer in birthing facilities if they need extra support, and around $10 million for additional visits to general practitioners and lead maternity carers for at-risk mothers during pregnancy.
Finding resources to boost health services is a significant challenge in the worsening international and domestic situation. However, making matters much worse is the fact that the new Government inherited around $160 million of burgeoning hospital deficits, and largely unfunded capital demands of over $600 million. I want to acknowledge the support of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance in giving us, in the public health service, the resources to improve maternity care in this country.
Hon Ruth DysonDoes the Minister agree with the director of women’s health at Capital and Coast District Health Board, who said, in relation to the length of stay for new mothers in birthing facilities, “It’s always been an issue when we’ve been short-staffed. It has never been a financial issue. It’s because the resource has not been available in terms of human resource.”; and if the Minister does agree with her, why did he not do anything about it?
This Government has introduced a voluntary bonding scheme to help keep midwives in the country. The scheme funds incentives for midwives in rural areas, and the intake into midwifery education has increased. Speaking of that woman from Capital Coast District Health Board, I wonder whether she explained why that district health board under the previous Government was going to pay women $100 Pak ’N Save vouchers to get out of the maternity ward in less than 6 hours. Where is the explanation for that?
Has the Minister seen reports from Southland saying that his announcement will not lead to longer stays for new mothers in Southland Hospital; and is he prepared to admit that his announcement will not even keep up with the baby boom that we are currently experiencing?
On the issue of Southland District Health Board, I have read the comments reported in the newspaper, and it is quite clear that the chairman of the district health board is saying that there are opportunities to improve services in primary birthing facilities in Southland. On the issue of keeping up with the birth rate, the member may have not been in a position to note that the $40 million extra over the next 4 years will help New Zealand keep up with the growing birth rate.