3014 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister of Health

3014 (2025). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister of Health: With Whakatāne Hospital Obstetrics and Gynaecology Service operating as a primary birthing service from mid-January, how, if at all, will high-risk pregnancies, including those requiring caesarean sections, inductions, or epidurals, be managed and transferred to Tauranga Hospital, and how, if at all, will the community be informed about these changes to ensure women/pregnant people can make informed decisions about their care?

Hon Simeon Brown: Our Government is focused on delivering timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders. I refer the Member to Health New Zealand's website: https://www.bopdhb.health.nz/health-and- support/health-wellbeing-services-and-advice/changes-to-whakatane-obstetrics-and-gynaecology-service/