Media Release
Date: 13 December 2014
Media Briefing: Primary
Maternity Consultation
Primary maternity services consultation was the topic of the day at Waikato Waiora Hospital campus this morning.
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) management met members of parliament and community representatives from the Waipa District Council, around what would be discussed at next week’s Community Health Forums about Rhoda Read and Matariki maternity units.
Matamata-Piako mayor Jan Barnes was an apology.
The meetings will be on Tuesday 17 December at 11am in Te Awamutu at the Information Centre in Gorst St, and 1.30pm in Morrinsville at the Morrinsville Events Centre in Ron Ladd Place.
The Waikato DHB Board decided this week to go to public consultation on the future of the two maternity units.
The board approved community consultation and extended the consultation period from 3 February to 21 February, with a decision due at the 26 March board meeting.
Today’s meeting was well attended and a key decision was made to push back the second public meeting in the towns scheduled for 15 January to early February (date to be confirmed).
Dr Chris Hendry from the New Zealand Institute of Community Health Care, who led the feasibility study around retaining the units, talked the group through the study findings, while Waikato DHB Planning and Funding general manager Brett Paradine spoke about how the study came about.
In addition to Waikato DHB chief executive Craig Climo, board chair Bob Simcock and various DHB management, the following MPs and community leaders, also attended the briefing:
• Sue Moroney –
Labour list MP
• Lindsay Tisch – Waikato
MP
• Scott Simpson – Coromandel MP
•
Barbara Stewart – NZ First list MP
• David
Hall – Deputy chief executive Waipa District
Council
• Grahame Webber – Deputy Mayor,
Waipa District Council
For more information, visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/birthing
ENDS