Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

MATPRO Encouraged by Health Minister’s Endorsement

Media Release: Wellington Maternity Project (MATPRO) Friday 9 March 2001


“New Zealand can build upon the good parts of the current maternity system, but should try to improve the aspects which aren’t working,” said Cathy O’Malley, the Chief Executive of the Wellington Maternity Project (MATPRO) today. “The current system can and should be improved to address the areas which are not satisfactory, but it ought not be thrown out holus bolus.”

Ms O’Malley was responding to this morning’s debate about maternity services, in which the NZ Medical Association, the NZ College of Midwives and the Minister of Health put different views about the effectiveness and safety of New Zealand’s maternity system. Medical groups are concerned that the current funding system inherently pitches midwives and doctors against each other, to the detriment of women and babies.

“Mrs King acknowledged that MATPRO is an organisation which has taken aspects of the national Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) system, and has adapted them to make them work well in the local setting. We have proved that, with appropriate flexibility and funding, positive relationships between midwives and doctors can be nurtured rather than destroyed.”

“We are fortunate to have had this opportunity as we are one of a small number of groups who have had some latitude to do things differently. Some aspects of New Zealand’s national maternity system tend to encourage confrontation between professional groups, but if the government can be flexible about contractual arrangements, whilst maintaining consistency in the services, it is possible to make the LMC system work to the benefit of mothers and babies” said Ms O’Malley.


ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.