Urgent Call for Timely and Equal Access to Contraception
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) New Zealand Committee, along with the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM), would like to see family planning and sexual health services improved, including better, more timely access to contraception.
This follows the findings of the external review of maternity care from Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) in November.
The Family Planning AGM last Thursday also highlighted the importance of equitable access to affordable contraception for all women.
"We would like to see the issue of access to contraception for everyone brought to the forefront. The AGM highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to work together, with Family Planning, to improve the current services," says Dr Ian Page, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for Northland DHB.
According to the CMDHB report, there are extensive barriers to accessing timely and affordable contraceptive services, both before and after pregnancy. Currently it can take up to six weeks for women to be seen by a healthcare professional to receive long-acting reversible methods of contraception.
"With a large number of pregnancies unplanned – more than 40 per cent on average and higher in some areas – something needs to be done to ensure all women have prompt access to affordable contraceptive options if and when they require it," says Dr John Tait, Chair of the RANZCOG New Zealand Committee.
"Systems need streamlining to ensure contraception services are more readily available and affordable. It is all about giving women choice and enabling them to make decisions about the right time to get pregnant and how many children to have."
The CMDHB report recommends new mothers who choose to use contraception should receive or be prescribed this before they leave the hospital, or be booked in for an appointment within three to six weeks of birth. It also recommends the initiation of mobile contraceptive services, after-hours and drop-in contraception clinics, and more coordinated and comprehensive school-based services.
"Education and preventative measures are the best option but most forms of contraception are too expensive for many young women. And there's the cost of raising an unplanned baby – mentally as well as financially – which far exceeds the cost of contraception and is often picked up by social services," says Karen Guilliland, CEO of NZCOM.
Cultural beliefs are also an important factor to consider with Maori and Pasifika women, and the report recommends easy access to educational programmes and information about health, nutrition, contraception, family planning, pregnancy and sexual health will improve understanding in these communities.
"We are looking to working more closely with Family Planning, NZCOM, Primary Healthcare Organisations (PHOs) and DHBs around the country to ensure women have timely access to affordable contraception," says Mr Tait.
RANZCOG and NZCOM support a seamless collaborative model of care which sees doctors, midwives and other health professionals working together for the benefit of pregnant women and their babies.
The CMDHB report can be found at www.cmdhb.org.nz.
ENDS
About RANZCOG:
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.
About NZCOM:
The New Zealand College of Midwives (the NZCOM) is the professional organisation setting the standards for all employed and self-employed midwives in New Zealand.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Cumming, Executive Officer for the RANZCOG New Zealand Committee on 04 472 4608
Ali Jones, External Media Adviser for NZCOM on 027 247 3112