Monday, 12 November 2001
Dr Helen Rodenburg President
GPs reaffirm commitment to maternity provision
While obstetrics in general practice is one of the areas hardest-hit by changes to health funding models, with many GPs
choosing not to continue doing maternity work, those that remain are determined to preserve the specialised skills
involved, and to ensure that GP obstetricians remain a viable choice for pregnant women.
Over 50 GP obstetricians attended an update course in Auckland this weekend. This represents a significant number of the
GPs who attend births in New Zealand. The workshop, supported by the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners, is a
part of their ongoing professional development and quality improvement. College President Dr Helen Rodenburg, who spoke
at the workshop, says those who attended were united in their determination to ensure that women still had the option of
choosing to have a GP obstetrician involved in their care during pregnancy.
“They supported a comprehensive approach to the funding and delivery of maternity care,” she says. “Such care is an
essential part of primary health care and the core of family based general practice services. It is both useful and
encouraging to be able to report to those who make decisions on health funding that GPs continuing to provide this
service are absolutely dedicated to its maintenance.”
Note: All GPs are trained in basic pregnancy assessment and care, whereas GPOs provide care that includes labour and
delivery. This is the 75th anniversary of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology society, which has always provided education
for general practitioners.
Contact: Dr Helen Rodenburg (04) 383-6972 or Rex Widerstrom (04) 496-5962