Women hope DHB will act, not just listen

The fate of the Stratford maternity unit is still under discussion, with the Taranaki District Health Board listening to a range of focus groups consisting of users of the service, along with representatives from various parts of the community, including midwives, nurses and those who live rurally.

The focus group discussions are closed to media, however some of the women leaving a meeting held at Stratford District Council last week spoke to the Stratford Press.

One woman, who has given birth to two children at the Stratford maternity unit, says she would like to see the unit open again, providing the same level of service as before its closure.

"Parents should not be disadvantaged by postcode," she said. "We have had this facility for a long time and the health board should be ensuring we are able to have it for a long time into the future as well."

Another mother on leaving the meeting had a clear message for the decision makers at the health board.

"Inviting us to share our opinion is great, but it only means something if they will listen and act upon what we have said today."

Jess Brocas, the Stratford mother who started an online petition to keep the unit open, is pleased the DHB "is making the effort to consult with users of the service, but listening is only part of the process".

"We are hoping the DHB is actually hearing what we have to say, and will take action to ensure that this needed facility reopens in Stratford in the near future."

Local business owner and mother Megan Dimock is pleased that Stratford residents are being consulted, "but I hope they aren't just trying to keep us happy".

"This isn't about a group of people making a fuss, this is about a basic fact, that Stratford parents need a place where mothers can give birth and receive post natal care in Stratford, as they have for many years. Reopening the unit is the only option that makes sense."

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