Kiwi parents are struggling as “emotionally, financially and physically” as hospitals neonatal beds are pushed beyond capacity.
In a letter detailed by a paedatrician and obtained by 1 NEWS, details stated Mothers are being sent across the country to have their babies, the letter went on to outline their concerns to the Ministry of Health and wrote about a couple who were forced out of Auckland to Palmerston North Hospital for several weeks.
They said the mother was “developing depression as a result of feeling isolated” and it was impeding her breast milk supply. The father had also “exhausted his paternity leave and feels he cannot leave his wife to return to Auckland for work”.
The increase is due to a number of factors, including babies staying in intensive care for longer, and more premature babies as mother’s have children later.
The Ministry of Health says it is aware about pressure on neonatal units and has “considerable sympathy for the disruption and difficulty caused by any additional travel required”.
It says a review is currently underway and a report and recommendations will be provided to the Ministry and DHBs before the end of the year.
You can see the full article on One news here
