Jo Goodhew MP
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman
& Katrina Shanks
National Party MP

10 January 2008

Rural mums paying for empty promises

“Not one cent of the $2 million allocated in 2007 to help with travel and support of rural midwives has been handed out,” according to National MPs Jo Goodhew and Katrina Shanks.

The funding boost was announced December 2006, to recognise the extra challenges that midwives face when working in isolation. It was hoped that the extra funding would encourage rural midwife retention.

“But in response to a Parliamentary question, the Minister of Health has confirmed that not a bean has found its way to those frontline midwives,” says National’s Associate Health spokeswoman (Rural & Aged Care) Jo Goodhew.

“This is yet another example of the Labour Government trumpeting the amount of money they will spend on health, only to dither for more than a year as health professionals wait in vain for the trickle down to take effect,” she says.

National List MP Katrina Shanks says the midwifery workforce is facing a crisis with an ageing membership and an increase in births.

“Babies are still being born in rural New Zealand, but midwife numbers are seriously low. While the Government has acknowledged the problem, the foot dragging is only making the situation worse.

“Once again Labour proves that when it comes to healthcare, it is all talk and very little real action,” Ms Shanks says.

ENDS

Attached: Parliamentary Questions – 19421, 19543, 19545 & 19456 – 2 pages.

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PQs – 19421, 19543, 19545 & 19456

-----Original Message-----
From: qwawf
Sent: Wednesday, 20 December 2006 02:55 p.m.
Cc: Jo Goodhew;
Subject: 19421 (2006) Published - Health - Normal Reply

Question: What consultation did the Minister, or Ministry, undertake with rural health stakeholders prior to announcing a $2 million investment from 2007 to support the rural midwifery workforce?

Portfolio: Health
Minister: Hon Pete Hodgson
Date Lodged:07/12/2006

Answer Text: The review of the rural ranking scale involved consultation with key stakeholders on rural health services including rural maternity services. The Rural Health Workforce Survey surveyed rural midwives. Issues relating to recruitment and retention of rural midwives were discussed with chairs of rural maternity trusts.
The Ministry of Health also met with and received feedback on the funding for rural midwives from Rural Women of New Zealand.

Attachment: None
Date Received:20/12/2006

-----Original Message-----
From: qwawf
Sent: Tuesday, 11 December 2007 09:59 a.m.
To: Jo Goodhew
Subject: 19543 (2007) Published - Health - Normal Reply

Question: Further to the answer to question for written answer 19421 (2006), has any money been allocated; if so, where has that money been allocated?

Portfolio: Health
Minister: Hon David Cunliffe
Date Lodged:26/11/2007

Answer Text: None of the $2 million for 2007/08 has been allocated as yet.

Attachment: None
Date Received:10/12/2007

-----Original Message-----
From: qwawf
Sent: Tuesday, 11 December 2007 09:59 a.m.
To: Jo Goodhew
Subject: 19545 (2007) Published - Health - Normal Reply

Question: Further to the answer to question for written answer 19421 (2006), what are the timeframes for the $2 million investment to be allocated?

Portfolio: Health
Minister: Hon David Cunliffe
Date Lodged:26/11/2007

Answer Text: Options for the allocation of the $2 million are under consideration, but allocation is expected to take place mid 2008.

Attachment: None
Date Received:10/12/2007

-----Original Message-----
From: qwawf
Sent: Tuesday, 11 December 2007 09:59 a.m.
To: Elizabeth Neilson
Cc: Jo Goodhew
Subject: 19546 (2007) Published - Health - Normal Reply

Question: Further to the answer to question for written answer 19421 (2006), what framework has been used to determine how to allocate the $2 million investment?

Portfolio: Health

Minister: Hon David Cunliffe
Date Lodged:26/11/2007

Answer Text: Options for the allocation of the $2 million are under consideration.

Attachment: None
Date Received:10/12/2007

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