Mothers' video honours midwives

Wanaka midwife Deb Harvey is concerned by the state of midwifery in Upper Clutha. Photo: Sean Nugent
Wanaka midwife Deb Harvey. Photo: Sean Nugent
A group of Upper Clutha mothers have come together to film a video to show the Southern District Health Board and politicians the importance of their midwives, who they believe have gone "above and beyond the call of duty".

Kristi James, who runs the Facebook page `Save Our Wanaka Midwives', said the video would be shared with as many as possible once it had been edited.

"We feature nine mums and their birth stories, highlighting the maternity care they received from their lead maternity carer. We are going at this from every angle and plan to send it out to the DHB, parliament, our local MP [Jacqui Dean], as well as sharing it on social media."

She also urged local mothers to send feedback to the health board on the proposed model for primary maternity services, released to the public earlier this month.

The proposal states Wanaka is due to get a "maternal and child hub", or non-birthing unit, later in the year.

However, Ms James believed that was not enough and a birthing unit was "absolutely necessary".

Health board spokeswoman Moira Finn said the board had received a lot of feedback and was "absolutely considering comments and suggestions relating to the proposed plan".

Feedback on the proposal closes on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean met concerned mothers and Ms James said she gave the group some ideas about how to get through to Parliament. However, the meeting did not solve the issue of funding, recruitment and retention of midwives in the area.

Health Minister David Clark said the health board was best placed to comment on services in the region, but believed all women should have access to "quality maternity care".

"Too many of our midwives, particularly those based in the community, are stretched beyond capacity. There are issues of professional isolation, burnout and attrition."

"Workforce issues and shortages do not develop overnight and take time to fix, but sorting this out is a priority for me as minister. I am working on an urgent response in the May Budget. However, we won't be able to do everything in one budget."

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