NZCOM and RANZCOG Welcome the Release of PMMRC Report

Media Statement 13 June 2012
Embargoed until 5pm

The following can be attributed to both Mr John Tait, Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) New Zealand Committee, and Norma Campbell, Acting CEO*of New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM).

"RANZCOG and NZCOM both welcome the release of this The Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) report.

We note that in this PMMRC data, as indeed was the case in the last PMMRC report, one of the major factors contributing to avoidable maternal or perinatal death continues to be barriers affecting women’s access to health services. This relates predominantly to mental health services and social services; the latter being necessary as the effects of social deprivation and poverty on women and their families plays a key role in outcomes related to poor health, morbidity and mortality.

RANZCOG and NZCOM also both remain very concerned about the number of maternal suicides that have contributed to the maternal mortality rate**.

The Colleges welcome and support the recommendations in this PMMRC report. The establishment of mother and baby units in the North Island was recommended in the Healthy Beginnings report (Jan 2012) and we suggest this should be considered for the whole of the country. We also welcome the recommendations around the development of a comprehensive perinatal and infant mental health service, and holistic screening related to termination of pregnancy services.

We look forward to working with the improved quality frameworks and other professional groups to ensure maternity services are more accessible, transparent and user-friendly for all women and their babies. The commitment from all groups to provide seamless, collaborative care will assist those working in the maternity sector to better support women and their families around mental health issues.”

ENDS

* NZCOM CEO Karen Guilliland is currently overseas.
**There were 8 maternal deaths in 2010. The most frequent causes of maternal death in NZ in the years 2006-2010 were suicide (13 cases), maternal pre-existing conditions (11 cases) and amniotic fluid embolism (9 cases).

About RANZCOG:
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.

About NZCOM:
The New Zealand College of Midwives (the NZCOM) is the professional membership organisation for NZ midwives. The NZCOM sets and actively promotes high standards for midwifery practice and assists midwives to meet these standards through involvement in midwifery education and the Midwifery Standards Review process.

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