Extra funding for maternity services – but where from?

Media Release

5 May 2011

Extra funding for maternity services – but where has it come from?

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) welcomes the Government’s announcement that an extra $32 million is being spent on maternity services.

$21.3 million will be spent on increasing the number of WellChild visits for first time mothers.

NZNO professional nursing advisor, Kate Weston says, “We know that improvements in maternity services are needed and that increased funding will dramatically improve health outcomes for women and their babies.”

“However, we are concerned that in order to make this investment, money and resources have been taken from another part of the health budget. It is an untenable situation when cuts to health services are made in one area in order to heal another.”

“Nurses and midwives do essential work ensuring our new generation of New Zealanders get the care they need when they need it. This care must not be provided to the detriment of another equally deserving area in health.”

“We call on the Minister of Health to come clean about where this money has come from. New Zealanders deserves a well-resourced health system and that means new investment in health,” says Weston.

ENDS

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