Media Release: RURAL WOMEN NZ WELCOME RURAL AS A PRIORITY GROUP IN HEALTH REFORMS

It is great news that a rural health strategy joins the women’s health strategy in proposed legislation and we look forward to seeing the detail says Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ).

“We are extremely pleased that the Minister of Health and his colleagues have listened to rural stakeholders, including RWNZ, and a rural health strategy will now be included in the Pae Ora Healthy Futures Bill,” says President Gill Naylor.

“For RWNZ to have faith in both of these strategies we need to know the current inequities of health services being experienced will be addressed, and that women and rural communities are placed at the forefront of decision-making.

“The inequity of care for women and children in Aotearoa New Zealand is exacerbated in rural communities due to travel distances and lack of services.

“Women are at risk daily due to the lack of rural midwives and GP’s, long delays for cancer screening services, and if elderly, lack of regular home help.

“The issues we are seeing and hearing from our members and rural communities have solutions, and we look forward to working with officials to ensure that the health and wellbeing of rural communities is a focus through the intersectionality of the rural health and women’s health strategies.

“Our rural mothers, children and families deserve access to a health system which puts them first.” says Mrs Naylor.

ENDS