Kawatiri planned birthing recommences

Kawatiri planned birthing recommences

The planned birthing service for pregnant women who are assessed as being low risk recommences in the Kawatiri Birthing Unit from today.

A 2013 review of West Coast DHB maternity services, undertaken by clinicians from the Coast, Canterbury and beyond, recommended planned birthing be stopped at the Kawatiri Birthing Unit. Recently, the DHB sought expressions of interest from providers who could address the issues identified in the review in order to ensure a safe and sustainable service.

The Haslett Partnership was subsequently contracted by the West Coast District Health Board to run the unit.

The Haslett Partnership has been preparing for the recommencement for the past month, ensuring adequate staffing, safe processes and procedures are in place, along with equipment, and urgent care for pregnant women visiting the area.

During that time, the health information leaflets available at Kawatiri have been replenished and updated, a programme of appropriate refurbishment has commenced at Kawatiri, a leaflet about the midwifery services available at Kawatiri is being developed and information is also being updated on the WCDHB website. The Haslett Partnership has met with Family Start, St John, Poutini Waiora, WINZ and the Kawatiri Action Group to help let the community know that the unit is open for birthing from today.

“It has been a lot of work to get the unit up and running again in such a short timeframe, but we’ve had great enthusiasm from staff, other health and community organisations and the community,” Correen Haslett says.

Women enrolled with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) will be able to access Kawatiri to give birth and stay following the birth. Buller women birthing at Grey Base Hospital or in Christchurch will be able to transfer back to the unit post-birth.

The Haslett Partnership consists of husband and wife team Correen and Alan Haslett. Midwife Correen has significant maternity experience and has run a midwifery business in Canterbury with a team of nine midwives. She has worked more than 1440 clinical hours on the West Coast as a locum for hospital-employed and self-employed midwives in the past year. Alan Haslett has a long history in project management and managing quality and risk at an international level.

Mums-to-be can continue to choose their LMC through the Find Your Midwife website (www.findyourmidwife.co.nz).

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