This report presents the activities and recommendations of the National Maternity Monitoring Group (NMMG) in their seventh year of operation, 2019/2020.
The NMMG oversees New Zealand’s maternity system and provides a national overview of the quality and safety of our maternity services. The group was set up in 2012 as part of the Maternity Quality Initiative and reports to the Director-General of Health.
The current NMMG members represent a wide range of stakeholders and have the combined skill set to provide national oversight of the quality and safety of maternity services. This includes specialists in midwifery, obstetrics, neonatal care, radiology and general practice; and additionally, has a dedicated consumer representation.
The NMMG Annual Report presents work conducted during 2019 and its priorities and work programme for the coming year (2020). The 2019 report underscores maternal mental health, access to maternity ultrasounds, and equity of access to long-acting reversible contraception, access to community-based primary maternity care/primary birthing and work force /cultural competency issues as areas to focus on in their work programme.
The 2020 work plan highlights priority areas for district health boards and the Ministry to focus on in the coming year.