RANZCOG And NZCOM Applaud Minister Of Health For Investment In Maternity Care

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) welcome an announcement by the Minister of Health to direct an additional $33.2 million into maternity care over the next four years.

The Government has invested an extra $1.2 billion in health services over the past two years. The Minister of Health Tony Ryall said this morning that Budget 2011 would provide a further $33.2 million for maternity services, over four years, to improve safety and quality.

"This is fantastic news for the maternity sector, and this package underlies this Government’s and the Minister of Health’s commitment to New Zealand women and their babies," says Mr John Tait, Chair of the RANZCOG New Zealand Committee.

“The collaborative work by midwives, obstetricians and general practitioners can only be enhanced by the announcement the Minister has made today,” says Karen Guilliland, Chief Executive Officer of the NZCOM.

Obstetricians, midwives, general practitioners and other maternity stakeholders have been working collaboratively and with consensus over the last twelve months to develop new maternity standards, referral guidelines and other deliverables from the Minister of Health’s previously announced Maternity Quality Initiatives (February 2010).

“It is gratifying to see a financial commitment from the Government for the implementation of the projects we have been progressing. We have been lobbying for data collection for many years, so it is great to see national data collection will be funded,” says Mr Tait.

RANZCOG and NZCOM is strongly supportive of a seamless collaborative model of care which sees doctors, midwives and other health professionals working together for the benefit of pregnant women and their babies. This funding towards better maternity care will ensure expectant mothers are able to access and receive the best care available.

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About RANZCOG:
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.

About NZCOM:
The New Zealand College of Midwives (the NZCOM) is the professional organisation, recognised as the ‘voice’ for midwives and student midwives in New Zealand.

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