We need to hear the views from the public on Women’s & Child Health Services Plan
20/05/2008
| Women & Child
The first submissions on the joint Whanganui and MidCentral District Health Board’s conceptual plan on the future provision of women’s and child services for the region have been received.
Five people/groups have put their submissions in well ahead of the 30 May deadline to ensure their views are heard.
MidCentral and Whanganui DHBs are expecting a large number of submissions over the next two weeks as the consultation period draws to a close.
Last year, the two DHBs brought together a group of clinicians to look at ways of strengthening women’s and child health services for both DHBs. In late 2006 Whanganui DHB was experiencing difficulties in maintaining specialist staff in these areas, and MidCentral Health helped out on a short-term basis within its staffing levels.
Maintaining staffing levels is critical to providing safe and sustainable health services so clinical staff from both DHBs formed a taskforce to look at long-term solutions. The taskforce considered issues of quality, safety, access, workforce requirements and current and future community needs.”
The taskforce proposes:
a. a “combined women’s health clinical unit” which would provide 24/7 acute secondary (hospital) obstetric and gynaecological services across both DHBs, operating mainly from Palmerston North and Whanganui Hospitals.
b. continuation of current child health service arrangements, supported by a “managed child health clinical network” to co-ordinate service initiatives and clinical standards.
The proposal is now open for public consideration.
“We want to hear from the public regarding the proposal. This is an opportunity to ensure the final plan addresses all the issues that have been raised” said Mr Glubb.
A copy of the taskforce’s proposal and a submission form can be obtained from MidCentral DHB (www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz/consultation or 0800 557 001).
Submissions close on 30 May 2008.
CONTACT: Nicholas Glubb, Group Manager, Women’s & Child Health Services, (06) 350-8357; or Communications Unit: (06) 350-8945.