February 2025
Tirohanga Whānui | Overview
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill.
We support the kaupapa to improve the accessibility of postnatal care, extending the provision of funded inpatient postnatal care to 72 hours post-delivery. We also support the provision requiring that mothers be made aware of this entitlement and can make informed choices about their postnatal stay.
We note the following regarding this Bill:
- Alignment with domestic and international frameworks focused on child wellbeing
This Bill aligns with New Zealand’s commitments under Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which speaks to the role that appropriate pre and postnatal care plays in realising children’s right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. It also aligns with domestic strategies such as the Child & Youth Strategy, which prioritises supporting children and their families and whānau within the first 2,000 days.
- Adequacy of resourcing
We share concerns raised during the first reading of the Bill regarding the availability of health funding and workforce conditions needed to ensure the aspirations of this Bill can be realised. It will be important that the Bill is adequately resourced, and midwifery staff well supported to ensure that postnatal care can be delivered safely, and the Bill does not place further pressure on an already stretched workforce.
Ingoa whakapā | Contact Name
Rachel Mackay [email protected]
Melanie Wilson