Children and young people are happy and healthy
Maternity services are being redesigned through a five-year, end-to-end maternity programme to ensure New Zealand's maternity system is effective and sustainable. The original plan has been updated to include outputs, outcomes and measures for each project of work within the five work streams. It also takes a kaupapa Māori approach to ensure projects and deliverables honour the commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Ministry of Health has drawn this information into health policy work and the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Review work. The refresh of the National Strategic Plan for Action for Breastfeeding has been developed by an Expert Advisory Group and is due for publication by September 2020. Review of the Pregnancy and Parenting Education and Information service specification has been deferred until 2020/21 due to competing priorities.
A four-year funding package has been allocated to primary maternity services, including funding for implementing the Maternity Action Plan.
Recent developments include increased funding to all the DHBs to support their Maternity Quality and Safety programmes.
There has also been consultation on changes for complex and rural service delivery modules and a consumer forum to develop better ways to engage with women and whānau.
The Rautaki Whakamana Whāngote - National Breastfeeding Strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand and the National Guidance for Assessment, Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Tongue Tie in Breastfeeding Neonates have both been published.
UPDATE: Budget 2022 includes investment in maternal mental health.
The funding will ensure that children, mothers and whānau can access specialist support services around New Zealand and access to appropriate māori services will be improved.