Wednesday 18 November 2009 Taupo Maternity Unit Resuming Full Services Taupo Maternity Unit will resume full services from Monday 23 November. Due to staff shortages impacting on the ability to provide safe 24/7 maternity services, Taupo Maternity Unit has offered restricted services since October 2008, to enable further midwifery staff to be recruited. Tania Milne, Taupo Maternity Coordinator and Annette Garvey-Graham, Clinical Midwife Director say it’s taken a full year, but the commitment and dedication of existing staff, coupled with active recruitment to vacant positions, means a stable and professional team is now in place. Lakes DHB thanks women and their families/whanau and the wider Taupo community for all the support and patience during the challenging times. The Maternity Team members at Rotorua Hospital are acknowledged for their support of Taupo, despite the pressure of an increased workload at Rotorua Hospital’s Birthing Unit, and the additional workload for ED staff at Taupo Hospital. Lakes DHB is committed to providing full primary maternity services to the Taupo and Turangi region. Tania Milne and Annette Garvey-Graham say continuing to develop collaborative working relationships with other health providers and social services is important. A combined celebratory brunch is planned for Monday 23 November, with the Taupo Maternity Team and key members of the community such as Parents Centre, Family Start and Plunket. Tania Milne says the brunch will provide the opportunity to personally thank everyone for the ongoing support over the past year, and at the same time provide a forum to provide an update on progress, communicate plans for the future and allow an opportunity to meet the new members of the midwifery team. ends/
