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Waikato DHB Seeks Primary Maternity Proposals
26 June 2014
Waikato DHB Seeks Primary Maternity Proposals
The Te Awamutu and Morrinsville communities are one step closer to creating local solutions to maintain primary maternity services in their towns.
This is the next step in Waikato District Health Board’s contestable process to determine if outside providers can offer women in Te Awamutu and Morrinsville a sustainable local primary maternity model within available funding.
Waikato DHB commissioned a feasibility study last year, to determine the viability of operating primary birthing units Matariki (in Te Awamutu) and Rhoda Read (in Morrinsville) due to declining numbers of women using them to birth, and preferring to travel to Hamilton instead.
A comprehensive public consultation process was entered into between December 2013 and February 2014, which saw opportunities for staff and public to provide feedback on the proposal to close the maternity units.
A report was submitted to the board, outlining the findings of the consultation.
Following that, at the March Board meeting, Waikato DHB board members decided to enter into a contestable process.
It subsequently received three expressions of interest.
The Waikato DHB Primary Maternity Project Board prepared a paper for yesterday’s (25 June) Board meeting that recommends proceeding to a Request for Funding Proposal (RFP) process.
The paper was discussed in the open section of yesterday’s meeting and has been posted on the Waikato DHB website from Monday 23 June.
To read the study findings and consultation report in the board paper, as well as the paper submitted by the Primary Maternity Project Board, visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/board
About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:
Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the 373,220 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6450 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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