Media release from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

The folding of maternity services into the primary health care system will quickly improve outcomes for both mothers and babies, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners says.

President Dr Jonathan Fox said international experience has recognised the more that comprehensive services are available in the primary care system, the better the outcome for mother and child - and better support for health practitioners.

He welcomed the report of the Perinatal and Maternity Review Committee, noting particularly recommendations about promotion of guidelines for diabetes screening, family violence screening and smoking cessation that already fit within the Primary Health Care environment, where the upskilling of all health professionals can be better co-ordinated.

"We are already working hard to improve communication with secondary services, and this must remain a focus," he said.