New Zealand's Ministry of Health releases revised maternity facilities access agreement

The New Zealand's Ministry of Health has released the revised Maternity Facilities Access Agreement, a contract which sets out the obligations of Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) when bringing women to hospitals and birthing units for labour and birth services, and of District Health Boards, who provide LMCs with access to their facilities to provide labour and birth services.

The revised Access Agreement is the result of a review of the Access Agreement that began in August 2006, when the Ministry began public consultation on amending the Access Agreement following recommendations made early last year by the Health and Disability Commissioner.

The recommendations followed a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner, regarding a case in 2003 which involved a midwife and a medical practitioner where questions had been raised over whether the care provided was of an appropriate standard and whether there was unreasonable delay in commencing a Caesarian section once the decision had been made to perform it.

Dr Pat Tuohy, Chief Advisor Child and Youth Health says New Zealand has a high quality maternity system that has in place high standards of training, oversight of practice and regulations. When issues arise in maternity services, however, all parties naturally take a closer look at the range of rules, regulations and guidelines that may assist with preventing such issues arising again. The Health and Disability Commissioner did just this, and put the spotlight on the Access Agreement.

"We had a robust consultation on the issue last year and the Ministry now believes it has come up with a revised Access Agreement, in consultation with maternity stakeholders, which will strengthen the relationship and communication between Lead Maternity Carers and medical practitioners, ensuring pregnant mothers continue to have access to a high quality maternity system."

Dr Tuohy says, "stakeholders have now received a copy of the revised Access Agreement and have 10 days to provide any final comments to the Ministry, before the Access Agreement is included in the new Section 88 Maternity Notice, effective from the first of July 2007 and the DHBNZ Maternity Facility Service Specification document.