October 11, 2023
Midwives fight for Huntly birthing centre
Huntly midwives hope funds can be found to keep the town’s Māori-focused birthing unit open beyond the end of the month.
Birthcare Huntly lead maternity carer Bernie Miers says while owner Evolution Healthcare’s claims it needs to close the unit because of declining demand and staff shortages, the number of parents and whānau accessing the centre’s range of services is actually going up.
She says it comes down to a lack of funding from Te Whatu Ora – and if Evolution doesn’t want to continue, another company would take over.
“Specifically our Maori mama – the majority of them want to give birth at the birth centre – most of them don’t want to go to the hospital but they will if it’s the safest because there are other things going on for them that we recognise in the pregnancy that points them in the direction of hospital but if you ask them, not many of the mama I work with would choose hospital at all,” Ms Miers says.
The midwives are fighting for the centre’s survival, including holding a public event at Te Oranga on Friday.