Kia Ora,

Last week we were given the final report from the Health Select Committees findings. 

As we expected they focused on the ACC Maternal Birth Injuries Bill, which is a great start but it will not cover many women, especially those that are already injured. We are proud that we were submitters and part of the process, and we hope that this petition has started the very important conversation that we as women deserve a far better level of care, especially in our most vulnerable time, we deserve preventative measures, informed choice, wrap around aftercare services that treat us holistically.

This is not the end for us in this space, this is just the beginning of pushing for far better care, and fairness for our wahine. Just remember the ACC Maternal Birth Injuries Bill sounds great but if you were to play a sport and be injured, there is not one single list of possible injuries associated with that sport, the list only exists for Maternal Birth injuries, and there is no cover for anyone that has a baby before the Bill kicks in, on 1st October. We also don't know if the injuries will be fully covered or part covered. 

What can you do as the consumer or supporting the consumers.

• Keep talking about it, keep the conversation going. 
• Contact The Minister of Health, and associate Ministers, tell them your stories and concerns, they are more likely to react if they are hearing from the consumer and a similar message is being presented. 
• Support your friends that suffer from birth trauma, hold space and allow them to process what has happened to them. 
• Talk to your local MP's.

Thank you to everyone who supported this Petition, we will work towards doing as much as we can to make sure that the voices are still heard, and to make sure that we are aiming for the best Maternal Support recovery package in the world. 

Again thank you for your support

Kirsty and Team