PRESS RELEASE

9 July 2008

Rural Midwives Bonus Payment a Band Aid Solution

Rural Women New Zealand says the recent $1.6 million one-off bonus paid to 432 rural midwives is a band aid solution to the problems of rural recruitment and retention.

“The one-off payment is an ad hoc approach where long term solutions are needed,” says RWNZ national president, Margaret Chapman.

“While the bonus payment shows that the Ministry of Health recognises the extra support rural midwives require, what we need now is certainty, particularly in order to attract new graduates to rural areas.”

Rural Women New Zealand is calling for long-term strategies that will give transparency around travel costs and after-hours support for rural midwives.

“Only in this way will rural communities be able to retain existing midwives and attract new midwives from the increased pool of new graduates.”

ENDS

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