KEY POINTS:
Nine out of 10 women who had babies in March and April last year were happy with the maternity care they received, according to a survey released today.
Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick said it was "wonderful news" and demonstrated services were working well for the vast majority of women.
The Maternity Services Consumer Satisfaction Survey 2007 canvassed the views of 2936 women who gave birth during March and April.
"All key areas of maternity services - antenatal care, lead maternity care, hospital stay and postnatal care - scored satisfaction levels of 90 per cent or higher," Ms Chadwick said.
The last survey was carried out in 2002 and Ms Chadwick said the latest one found a greater percentage of women had difficulty finding a suitable lead maternity carer, or midwife.
"This was not a surprise to us but is something the Government and sector groups are working together to address," she said.
"The Ministry of Health has implemented a range of initiatives, including a pilot scheme to mentor first-year midwifery graduates as they join the workforce, providing funding support for rural midwives who face high travel costs and increasing pay rates."
Ms Chadwick said the survey showed New Zealand had a world class maternity system and there had been improvements in key aspects of care.
- NZPA
