Person-centered maternity services in New Zealand: a practice development initiative to improve the health of pregnant women and infants

Abstract

The aim of this practice development initiative was to improve the health of pregnant women and infants in South Auckland. The objectives were to link the general practice enrolled pregnant women with a midwife on confirmation of their pregnancy, record the date of delivery in the general practice notes, enrol the infant with the general practice shortly after birth and so increase the timeliness and rates of immunisations. The results of the study found that immunisation timeliness and rates of 94-100% over a 12 month period were achieved in this very high needs practice in the South Auckland area.