GPs reaffirm commitment to maternity provision

Monday, 12 November 2001

Dr Helen Rodenburg President

GPs reaffirm commitment to maternity provision

While obstetrics in general practice is one of the areas hardest-hit by changes to health funding models, with many GPs choosing not to continue doing maternity work, those that remain are determined to preserve the specialised skills involved, and to ensure that GP obstetricians remain a viable choice for pregnant women.

Over 50 GP obstetricians attended an update course in Auckland this weekend. This represents a significant number of the GPs who attend births in New Zealand. The workshop, supported by the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners, is a part of their ongoing professional development and quality improvement. College President Dr Helen Rodenburg, who spoke at the workshop, says those who attended were united in their determination to ensure that women still had the option of choosing to have a GP obstetrician involved in their care during pregnancy.

“They supported a comprehensive approach to the funding and delivery of maternity care,” she says. “Such care is an essential part of primary health care and the core of family based general practice services. It is both useful and encouraging to be able to report to those who make decisions on health funding that GPs continuing to provide this service are absolutely dedicated to its maintenance.”

Note: All GPs are trained in basic pregnancy assessment and care, whereas GPOs provide care that includes labour and delivery. This is the 75th anniversary of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology society, which has always provided education for general practitioners.

Contact: Dr Helen Rodenburg (04) 383-6972 or Rex Widerstrom (04) 496-5962

© Scoop Media