This Government bill provides that women who have just given birth can access their choice of post-natal care for a minimum of 72 hours (three days) if desired. It is before Parliament.
Parliament advanced this bill under urgency (second reading) — moving it through faster than usual, with less time than normal for public submissions.
A Government bill that would guarantee women who have just given birth access to their choice of postnatal care for a minimum of 72 hours — three days — in a hospital or birthing unit, if they want it. Postnatal care is the support and monitoring for a mother and newborn in the days after birth. The measure would amend the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, the law that governs the public health system.
It began as a member's bill from National MP Catherine Wedd and was adopted by the Government as part of a National–NZ First coalition commitment, with Associate Health Minister Casey Costello leading it. It responds to concern that some mothers are discharged too early. Health and midwifery groups broadly support the intent but say enough workforce and flexible funding would be needed to make the guarantee real.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.