Waitakere Primary Birthing Facility Consultation

*From Waitakere HealthLink*

Yesterday the Primary Birthing Facility Consultation Outcome was tabled at the Waitemata District Health Board Meeting. 
 
Recommendation: 
That the Board: 
a)  Note public consultation on potential primary birthing facilities elicited 1,162 completed survey responses and heard from over 450 people through community forums.
b)  Note feedback from the community demonstrated strong support for either: 
            i. A DHB owned/managed free-standing primary maternity unit in the community, or
            ii. A DHB owned/managed free-standing primary maternity unit on the hospital campus
c)         Approve development of a detailed business case to establish a primary birthing unit in West Auckland.
d)        Approve public release of the consultation report in full. 
 
 

Executive Summary
This paper reports the outcome of public consultation regarding development of potential primary birthing facilities. Evidence demonstrates that for women who are at low risk of complications, giving birth in a primary birthing unit reduces the use of medical interventions without compromising the health of the mother or infant. Currently only a small percentage of Waitemata women birth in the rural based primary birthing units. In October 2015, the Board approved a Maternity Plan. The Maternity Plan identified the intention to increase the number of primary birthing ‘beds’ across the Waitemata and Auckland districts to increase primary births.  The Waitemata Board agreed to undertake public consultation on potential urban primary birthing facilities to complement the established secondary and rural primary units in Waitemata DHB. A robust consultation process has now been undertaken with independent analysis of results.

The results demostrate strong support for development of an urban primary maternity facility in Waitemata. The preferred location is dependent on the respondent’s place of residence. As a result, it is recommended that, in the absence of information to the contrary, the previous Waitemata District Health Board, Meeting of the Board 29/06/2016 recommendation to the Board to prioritise a facility in the West stands.

Respondents first preference was for a DHB owned/managed free-standing primary maternity unit in the community. This was followed closely by a preference for a DHB owned/managed free-standing primary maternity unit on the hospital campus. 

The Board is requested to approve development of detailed business cases for all of the options to support their decision regarding progressing a development of an urban primary maternity facility in West Auckland. As previously indicated, the success of such a facility would inform further consideration of a potential unit on the North Shore.

To read the entire report in the agenda. Visit: http://www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/Portals/0/Documents/AboutUs/Leadership/Board/2016/WDHBBoardOpenAgenda-June2016.pdf Page 96

Thank you to everyone who attended a consultation meeting and/or provided feedback.