SAVE OUR BIRTH CENTRE in the Hutt
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We campaigned and worked hard to try to save Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre in Lower Hutt and stop its closure (which was first proposed on 12th August 2o21).
Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre was created, and has been run since its opening in July 2018, by a Charitable Trust with no funding or support (or promotion) from the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards. It has been FREE / no charge for all those who planned to birth there for their full maternity and 48-hour postnatal care. It was NOT run as a profit-making business as the DHB and Ministry of Health were trying to suggest in the media. Unfortunately our health decision-makers were not even interested in listening to our logical and well-supported case that the Birthing Centre should be financially supported and promoted by the DHB as it provides a safe place for those healthy people who have low-risk pregnancies to give birth and have optimal 48-hour postnatal stays.... and those people have great stories to tell - read them here.... |
[L to R] Vida Rye, Sarah Adams, Charlotte Curtis, Chloe Grey (with Sacha), Meg Waghorn, Natalie Horspool (with Liam) - there were others not pictured e.g. Megan Telfar
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The Birth Centre closed (was moth-balled) on Thursday 23rd September 2021. On that day, a group of us went down and created a wall of hearts with the names and dates of birth of all the babies that had been happily brought in to the world at the centre.
Thank you to Chloe and her whānau for sharing this photo after their amazing birthing experience at Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre, Lower Hutt
Join Hutt Families for Midwives and us on Saturday 18th June 2022 at 2pm at Mitchell Park, Lower Hutt to do our "Walk With Intent" to enable our voices to be heard about the current state of the Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital, which affects our Maternity Service.
Discussion & Action Points from our Public/Community Zoom Meeting on the 1st day of lockdown (18th August 2021):
Are you unsure why we should try to save the birth centre?
Check out all the:
We are collecting stories and comments from those that have had experiences at Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre.
Mama/Birthing people, whanau, midwives and other health professionals - we want to hear from you all.
Click here to complete a short Google form to share your thoughts with us.
On Thursday 12th August 2021, we heard the devastating news that the Wright Family Foundation (who own and operate Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre) have proposed that the centre will be closing on 21st September, unless something changes drastically re: funding (Please be aware that the local DHB currently does not fund nor support nor promote the centre!) The Wrights are asking for comment from staff before 19th August and a decision will be made about the closure on 24th August 2021.
The Hutt Community is mobilising, and several groups are working together as Hutt Families for Midwives, and there are various actions that you can do to help us Save the Birth Centre:
- Summary Action Points that you can get involved in, gathered from the Public Zoom meeting held on first day of lockdown (18th August 2021)
- View the Hutt Community's petition to Save the Birth Centre here - now closed as of 22nd August and we received over 6000 signatures.
- Share your story/experience of using the Birth Centre or working there here
- For latest news, see posts on HuttFamiliesForMidwives Facebook Page
- volunteer for an organisation supporting parents and midwives - how about this one?
- Write to, or visit your local MP
- Write submissions on new legislation to do with maternity, midwifery and parenting
- Support the midwives in their fight for pay equity
- follow social media accounts of activist organisations and charities working in the birthing world - how about this one?
- write to your local paper / letters to the editor (this can be weirdly effective if you coordinate to do it with a bunch of other people over consecutive weeks)
- signal boost by sharing social media content from midwifery union and other professional bodies
- share your experiences with people who can make changes/those with their hand on the lever!
- View the Hutt Community's petition to Save the Birth Centre here - now closed as of 22nd August and we received over 6000 signatures.
- Share your story/experience of using the Birth Centre or working there here
- For latest news, see posts on HuttFamiliesForMidwives Facebook Page
- volunteer for an organisation supporting parents and midwives - how about this one?
- Write to, or visit your local MP
- Write submissions on new legislation to do with maternity, midwifery and parenting
- Support the midwives in their fight for pay equity
- follow social media accounts of activist organisations and charities working in the birthing world - how about this one?
- write to your local paper / letters to the editor (this can be weirdly effective if you coordinate to do it with a bunch of other people over consecutive weeks)
- signal boost by sharing social media content from midwifery union and other professional bodies
- share your experiences with people who can make changes/those with their hand on the lever!
