Government gives $2m to boost baby unit

The Government will spend $2 million to provide more cots at the neonatal unit at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland.

Health Minister Annette King said yesterday that the Counties Manukau District Health Board had asked for money to build a unit which could provide up to 30 cots, eight more than the present capacity.

She said the increase in Middlemore's capacity for the "most vulnerable babies" would also take pressure of other hospitals.

"Neonatal units in New Zealand work collaboratively to provide a national service for babies and families," she said.

"Events such as the unexpected arrival of premature triplets can stretch local capacity and require pregnant women and their babies to be moved to other units with spare cots ... More cots nationally is good news all around."

- NZPA