Longer stays ‘positive, but more staff needed’
Longer postnatal stays in hospital is a welcome proposal, but it is only possible with more nurses and midwives, unions say.
The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures, 3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill was pulled from the ballot in Parliament on Thursday.
The Bill will provide women who have just given birth access to their choice of postnatal care for a minimum of 72 hours, if desired.
National MP Catherine Wedd, who submitted the Bill, said it would offer greater protection and support to new mothers.
“One of the most stressful and emotional experiences for a new mum is making sure that you can care for your newborn while also processing all the information being given to you by your midwife and nurses.
“My Bill will offer new parents greater protection and wraparound support. It also requires the lead maternity carer to let the mother know what she is eligible for,” Wedd said.
But a chronic shortage of nurses and midwives meant the proposal could only happen if there were more hospital staff, New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) kaiwhakahaere (manager) Kerri Nuku, who also worked as a midwife, said.
“Midwives and nurses are already feeling the pressure of an unprecedented health crisis. Our members report that a huge majority of shifts are not fully staffed. “We are as busy, if not busier than ever. And keeping mums longer will not only add to the pressure, but the additional fatigue could also impact on the safety of mums and their newborns.”
For the proposal to work, there would need to be nurse-to-patient ratios, Nuku said.
“Getting legislation on nurse-to-patient ratios is a top priority for [NZNO] because safe and healthy work environments need to be re-established.”
New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy said the proposal would “undoubtedly” mean a need for more midwives and more postnatal beds, “yet we have seen several community maternity facilities close in recent years”.
“For this legislation to be put into practice, the Government needs to prioritise community maternity facilities and midwifery recruitment and retention with urgent, additional and substantial funding,” she said.
Wedd said funding would be ring-fenced for postnatal care so when one mum chose not to take up the full 72 hours, the funding was retained and available for another mum who may need more time.
“I want women to be making informed choices about postnatal care, and the first 48 to 72 hours are critical to ensure that mothers form a loving attachment with their newborn baby.”
Women were currently entitled to up to 48 hours of funded inpatient postnatal care, but many did not realise that and were pressured to leave early, Wedd said.
“[That] is what I personally experienced. For my first child I had a traumatic birth and I personally understand how essential postnatal care is. Giving mothers this extra time and extra flexibility will result in positive outcomes for mother, baby, and family from two to three days in a supportive environment and dedicated facility.”