Update on maternity services in Stratford

12 December 2014

Taranaki DHB confirmed today that Maternity Services Taranaki Limited has exited the Primary Maternity Facility services in Stratford.

Becky Jenkins, Taranaki DHB General Manager Planning, Funding & Population said, “Despite extensive efforts to recruit and retain nursing and midwifery staff, Maternity Services Taranaki Ltd were unfortunately unable to maintain adequate staffing levels to provide the service.”

“We appreciate this is an ongoing concern for the community and want to reassure women and their families they can access quality maternity services at either Taranaki Base or Hawera Hospitals, both of these units operate 24/7 services and are able to accommodate additional patients,” Ms Jenkins explained.

Over the next two to three months Taranaki DHB will be exploring a range of options for the future access of maternity services for women in the Stratford District.

Ms Jenkins said, “Over the last few years there have been challenges with maintaining adequate workforce to run the maternity unit. Therefore it is important for the DHB to assess future options thoroughly to ensure the sustainability of access to maternity services for Stratford women.”


ENDS

For more information please call –
Cressida Gates, Media Advisor, Ph 027 703 6177

Last updated: Friday, December 12, 2014