Maternity Action Plan 2008–2012 - Draft for ConsultationDate of publication: October 2008 (Revised June 2009)
Submissions close: 5 pm, Wednesday 31 July 2009.
Introduction from Hon Tony Ryall, Minister of Health
Release of the Draft Maternity Action Plan for public consultation The Government is releasing the draft Maternity Action Plan for public consultation. The draft Maternity Action Plan (the Plan) is designed to strengthen maternity services and includes a series of actions to achieve this goal.
The Plan has been developed by the Ministry of Health in association with District Health Boards and the Maternity Services Strategic Advisory Group. The Maternity Services Strategic Advisory Group comprises sector experts from midwifery, obstetrics, general practice, paediatrics, anaesthetics, radiology and members with specialist academic,
Māori, Pacific and consumer knowledge.
Since the Plan was first endorsed by the Maternity Services Strategic Advisory Group in October 2008, the context for the Plan and its actions have changed. New Government maternity initiatives and the recommendations from the report, Perinatal and Maternal Mortality in New Zealand 2006, and the Review of Quality, Safety and Management of Maternity Services in the Wellington Area, are significant developments that will directly influence the maternity actions over the next one to two years.
Longer stays for new mothers in birthing facilities We have heard from too many new mothers who have felt pressured into going home before they are ready, and from those who could benefit from extra support. Longer stays will help new mothers establish breast feeding and gain confidence in caring for their babies before they return home.
An optional meeting each trimester for at risk mothers, attended by the pregnant woman, their General Practitioner (GP) and their Lead Maternity Carer (LMCs) The additional meetings of GPs and LMCs for at risk mothers during pregnancy will help encourage better integration of primary health care services and increase support for pregnant women.
Obstetric training or refreshers for GPs wishing to return to maternity care. Many GPs have stopped practising obstetrics and fewer are training in the field. The Government wants to encourage more GPs to upskill so they can play a greater role in the provision of maternity care.
Voluntary bonding scheme for graduate midwives. New midwives who agree to work in hard-to-staff areas for three to five years after graduation will receive student loan repayment concessions.
Rural Midwifery recruitment and retention service. The recruitment and retention service will focus on increasing rural Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwifery numbers by recruiting and supporting eligible rural LMC midwives and by encouraging midwives who have left the rural area or the profession to return to midwifery either as a locum or rural LMC midwife.
In March 2009, the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) published its second report, Perinatal and Maternal Mortality in New Zealand 2006 (the PMMRC Report). The purpose of this report is to provide numbers and rates of perinatal and maternal deaths, to describe the risk factors for perinatal deaths, and to attempt to identify where the attention of maternity and neonatal services might be focused to prevent perinatal and maternal deaths.
The Perinatal and Maternal Mortality in New Zealand 2006 report can be viewed via the following link: http://www.pmmrc.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexcm/pmmrc-resources-second-report-200708
The PMMRC Report recommended assigning an National Health Index to all babies, stillborn or not, and recording a pregnancy within a year of death on the medical death certificate. These recommendations have already been implemented. Consideration needs to be given to incorporating the other recommendations into the Plan, in particular, those concerning quality and safety, perinatal and maternity information, and information and support for families.
The Review of Quality, Safety and Management of Maternity Services in the Wellington Area (the Review) was released in October 2008. The Maternity Services Strategic Advisory Group has already incorporated the recommendations of the Review that concern national issues into the Plan.
The Review of the Quality, Safety and Management of Maternity Services in the Wellington Area report can be viewed via the following link: http://www.moh.govt.nz//moh.nsf/indexmh/wgtn-maternity-services-review-oct08
The attached diagram below illustrates how the Government’s new maternity initiatives, the recommendations made by the Review and the PMMRC Report could fit into the Plan. The diagram highlights priority areas for action, such as, quality and safety. I would encourage you to consider the wider context when reviewing the Plan and the priority actions for the next one to two years.
Diagram: Wider Context for the Maternity Action Plan (PDF, 63 KB)
The worsening economic situation means financial resources will be scarce and need to be focussed on areas of maximum gain.
To assist you in your review a submission template has been developed. The template and related documents can be accessed on this page.
The public consultation period will close on 31 July 2009.
Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of Health
How to have your say The Ministry of Health welcomes your comments on the draft Maternity Action Plan.
Making a submission Maternity Action Plan Submission Template (Word, 104 KB) - The purpose of this template is to provide a mechanism for collecting feedback on the draft Maternity Action Plan.
Responses in other formats will be considered separately from this consultation analysis.
You do not have to answer all the questions if you do not want to.
Submissions should be sent either to the following email address maternity_actionplan@moh.govt.nz or to the following postal address:
Bronwen Pelvin
Senior Advisor
Maternity Services
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington
Phone: (04) 816 3633
Fax: (04) 496 2493
All submissions must be received no later than 5 pm on Wednesday 31 July 2009.
All comments received will be analysed and collated by the Ministry of Health, and, together with feedback from the regional forums, hui and fono, will assist in finalising the Maternity Action Plan.
Related information
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Publishing information
Date of publication: Revised June 2009
ISBN numbers: 978-0-478-31841-8 (Online)
HP number: 4697
Citation: Ministry of Health. 2008. Maternity Action Plan 2008–2012 - Draft for Consultation. Wellington: Ministry of Health. |
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