As the lead standards body in women’s health in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) also takes responsibility for advocating for women’s health on behalf of our members and the patients they care for.
With strong signals from the New Zealand Government Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa about an expenditure constrained budget and the transition to a multi-year funding cycle for health, RANZCOG is not expecting significant new investments in Budget 2025.
However, that does not preclude us from calling attention to areas where further investments within the health funding portfolio can be made, or where implementation needs to be priorities for the government.
These areas are:
- Action on implementing the Women’s Health Strategy
The Women’s Health Strategy is a requirement of the Pae Ora (Health Futures) Act 2022 and the first Women’s Health Strategy was published in 2023, however it is yet to be translated into an action plan or result in change for women. - Improving access to gynaecology care in hospitals
Access to gynae care is variable and severely constrained in some regions. While outsourcing is a pragmatic solution for some people, it is important that our public health system is strengthened so that all women can access the gynaecological and surgical care they need. - Reforms to allow more women’s health care to be delivered closer to home by GPs and physiotherapists
With limited access to gynaecological care in our public health system, many women’s health services could be provided in primary care by GPs, physiotherapists and other health professionals, if systems and funding are put in place to support this. - Removing surcharges for community-provided obstetric ultrasounds to ensure better access to all women across Aotearoa New Zealand
Outdated funding arrangements and high co-payment fees mean that many women cannot access scans that are necessary to manage a range of pregnancy concerns, including assessing the risk of fetal growth restriction. RANZCOG, and others in maternity care, have been calling for review of funding arrangements for some years. - Rolling out programming to reduce pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy, including education interventions, better screening and treatment options
Almost half of women will experience some sort of pelvic floor dysfunction, commonly urinary incontinence or prolapse, and pregnancy and childbirth are key risk factors. Pregnancy is also an opportune time to prevent issues with antenatal education, structured pelvic floor muscle training, and screening and treatment when required. - Elimination of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer can be eliminated within our lifetime with extension of free cervical screening and a plan for increasing access to HPV vaccination. - Better supporting our health workforce to ensure that the delivery of care that women and whānau need is available and accessible
TV remains committed to supporting our Fellows and trainees in Aotearoa New Zealand, and advocating for their needs, and the needs of the patients they care for, and looks forward to working with the government to advance these priorities.
For media enquiries
Catherine Cooper
Executive Director Aotearoa New Zealand
Email: ccooper@ranzcog.org.nz
Phone: +64 21 137 0748
