Rewarding work in Plunket nursing
Plunket nurse Judy Millar says it is satisfying seeing first-time mothers develop parenting skills as they care for their infants.
Millar has met a lot of parents and infants in 32 years of Plunket nursing but her time in the role is coming to an end as she retires on March 29.
She started her career in Invercargill in August, 1987, and after four years moved to her current base, the Central Southland Plunket in Winton.
‘‘Watching first-time mums, new to parenthood, develop as a mother and a person is really good,’’ Millar, of Browns, said.
The big reduction in cot deaths (sudden unexpected death in infancy, or SUDI) during the past 30 years had also been heartwarming. Millar said the turnaround started when research recommended infants should sleep on their backs and not on their stomachs.
Another factor in the decline of SUDI was when most people stopped smoking around babies after major advertising campaigns outlined the harmful effects of it. ‘‘When I first started [Plunket nursing] everyone smoked around babies,’’ she said. Being retired will allow more time with her grandchildren. Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker claims the Health Minister has asked his officials to investigate if the downgrade to the Lumsden Maternity Centre can be delayed.
However, the Minister for Health David Clark would not verify Walker’s claim on Wednesday.
Walker said he had asked Clark to investigate if the downgrade at Lumsden could be delayed so that the Health Select Committee could consider his petition. In a press release, Walker says Clark has asked his officials to investigate a delay.
When Stuff contacted the Minister’s office, it refused to comment on Walker’s claims.
Walker did receive a letter from the Minister, dated David Clark March 19, but it simply thanks Walker for his correspondence regarding the Lumsden Maternity Centre.
The letter goes on to say the Minister has asked his officials to advise him on this matter and will respond in due course.
Walker, when queried about the letter not specifically saying an investigation into the delay would be held, said: ‘‘[Clark] could have responded and just said no. It says he’s going to get officials to advise him.’’
‘‘I have never received a letter like that from him before – usually it’s just a straight yes or no.’’
The centre is scheduled to be transitioned into a Maternal and Child Hub on April 15.
The Southern District Health Board announced in August it was changing the primary birthing unit at Lumsden into a maternal and child hub as part of an Integrated Primary Maternity System of Care, which assessed maternity services throughout Otago and Southland.