The head of the College of Midwives expressed skepticism about the financial viability of investing over $100 million to extend post-natal stays in hospitals.
The government is set to implement National MP Catherine Wedd's bill, ensuring new mothers have a minimum three-day hospital stay post-birth, up from the current two days.
Alison Eddy highlighted concerns regarding the system's capacity to accommodate these changes, referencing a Select Committee report estimating a need for 175 additional beds.
The report outlined potential costs ranging from $31.9 million to $38.3 million for the required beds and over $100 million for network capacity expansion.
Eddy emphasized the need for a thorough analysis of the investment's return, suggesting alternative initiatives like community breastfeeding support and maternal mental health programs for better outcomes.
The College advocates for individualized care based on need rather than a blanket three-day stay policy, citing instances where women feel pressured to leave early post-delivery.
Reference from News: Midwives concerned system capacity won't support three-day minimum post-natal stay