Thursday, 6 December 2007

Turner wants nationwide pressure on Mums to stop

UnitedFuture family spokesperson Judy Turner is calling on the Minister of Health to stop the pressure district health boards put on mothers of new-born babies to leave hospital care soon after the birth.

"With the heightened interest around the troubles of Wellington Hospital, I am worried that this matter will be lumped into that mess and viewed as a "Wellington problem" when there is clear evidence that across the country there is a concerted effort to save health dollars at the expense of Mums and their babies," she says.

"The barrage of subtle and not-so-subtle comments that make new Mums feel like bludgers for wanting a few days support is unacceptable.

"Anyone with the most basic understanding of attachment theory and how vital that is for brain development in infants will agree that the little bit of money spent in supporting a Mum as she establishes feeding and basic child-craft skills is money well spent.

"It is also unacceptable for maternity units to be less supportive of Mums having second and consecutive babies than they are of first time Mums.

"A couple of extra days to kick-start the bonding with their new baby before having to leave to take on the full blast of parenting responsibilities that await these mothers is again time and money well spent.

"There have been funding and workforce tensions in the obstetrics sector for nearly two decades now in New Zealand and the clients are bearing the consequences of this."

ENDS

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