Several recently reported Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) cases highlight the pressures facing Aotearoa New Zealand’s maternity system. Midwives, obstetricians and other maternity professionals are working in an environment where workforce shortages and high workloads can compromise the timely coordination and delivery of care. These pressures are not new, and continue to persist, particularly in regional areas where services have been stretched for prolonged periods.

New Zealand remains a place where every maternity professional is committed to providing safe, high-quality care. Outcomes like those reported are devastating and unacceptable, and they underscore the need to address the systemic factors that contribute to risk.

Midwives play a critical role in identifying concerns early, referring for obstetric consultation, advocating for those in their care, and working collaboratively across the maternity system. However clinical vigilance must be supported by a system that is responsive, well-resourced, and able to act quickly when issues are identified. No whānau should feel unheard or experience delays in accessing the care they need.

Both colleges continue to call for urgent and sustained investment in maternity services. This includes growing and retaining the midwifery and obstetric workforce and accelerated implementation of the national maternity clinical IT records system to strengthen communication and coordination between services. Safe staffing levels and properly resourced services are essential to enable timely decision-making and responsive escalation of care as well as continuity of care. This will lead to improved outcomes for whānau.

We remain committed to working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and the Government to ensure that maternity services are strengthened, so that all whānau in Aotearoa can access safe, equitable, and responsive care when it matters most.

Media enquiries

Catherine Cooper
RANZCOG Executive Director, Aotearoa New Zealand
ccooper@ranzcog.org.nz
+64 21 137 0748

Violet Clapham
Midwifery Advisor, New Zealand College of Midwives
projects@nzcom.org.nz
03 377 2732