Maternity service under the spotlight
Review to ensure wha¯nau needs are met
Pinepine te kura, hau te kura Whanake te kura i raro i Awarua. Our tribal worldview explicitly states that our origins are ancient and celestial, and as mokopuna we are bestowed with the hopes, visions, and attributes of our t¯ıpuna.
We are divine human beings of two primal waters that flow from our mother and our father. There is purpose and meaning in every pe¯pi born.
To that effect, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) acknowledges that it needs to look at ways to improve the experience of wha¯nau accessing its maternity services and ensure that the expectations of wha¯nau and the organisation are being met.
Thus, the HBDHB has commissioned a review of the cultural responsiveness of its maternity service.
Engagement to collect the many important and numerous voices has recently started, which includes the voices of nga¯ ma¯ma¯, kauma¯tua, wha¯nau, community, kaimahi, services, and leadership.
The review has been aptly named Hau te Kura and will conclude at the end of the year. The HBDHB has prioritised this mahi, which has been vigorously supported by executive oversight and an Expert Advisory Group (EAG).
A review team of high calibre and skill with a wealth of experience is providing the important mahi.
As part of the EAG, it has been a privilege to support this significant kaupapa, particularly knowing that the intent and commitment is to contribute to making a difference today, for tomorrow, and into the future.
On Monday, September 20, part of the EAG met with Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chief executive Chrissie Hape to get the iwi view. The meeting was positive.
“We look forward to reviewing the final report and the resulting changes that will improve the overall experience of wha¯nau accessing the HBDHB maternity services and ensure that the expectations of wha¯nau and iwi are met,” says Chrissie Hape.