By Laura Frykberg
Today is International Day of the Midwife, but there is more than one reason to celebrate the important service for new mothers.
The Government has announced it will fund more midwives in hospitals, as part of an extra $55 million set aside for maternity services in the upcoming budget.
“If they can help more mums breastfeed and more mums look after their children and not have to go back to work straight away, that would be helpful,” says new mother Geraldine Dornsbusch.
That is exactly what will happen.
The Government has allocated $55 million to help mums like Ms Dornsbusch get vital services.
“This is all about better teamwork and providing better services for mothers who need it,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.
- It will include $33 million towards regular reviews of maternity services and more access to information for new mothers and their families.
- That money will also allow for more midwives in hospitals.
- Another $20 million is going towards more home visits for first-time mothers.
- The remaining $2 million will pay for a national maternity database.
“Both the college of midwives and the college of obstetricians have been pushing for a national database for about 20 years,’ says John Tait, NZ chair of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Mr Ryall admits part of the funding increase means cuts to other services. But he wont’ reveal which, just yet.
“You’ll have to wait for the budget on that,” he says.
But Ms Dornsbusch says other mums will welcome the news.
“Every mum has got questions,” she says. “Even if they have got one child, or five children, they’ve got more questions they want to ask.”
The Government hopes extra funding will help them find the answer.
3 News