Mehemea kāore i pai ki a koe te manaakitia ōu If you are unhappy with your care

Your midwife or doctor should be the first person you speak to if you have any questions or concerns about your care.

Your rights

In Aotearoa New Zealand, by law, you have the right to:

  • professional care from skilled staff
  • know how your information is stored and used, and who it will be shared with
  • view any information held about you and to correct it if necessary
  • know about the services that your midwife or doctor provides
  • have everything you need to know explained so you can make informed decisions about the care for you and your pēpi
  • be able to ask any questions so you can make informed decisions about the care for you and your pēpi
  • refuse any care offered to you, and to be able to change your mind at any time
  • have someone with you for support
  • complain about the treatment you receive.

You also have the right to be treated with respect, including for your:

  • culture
  • values
  • beliefs
  • customs
  • privacy
  • confidentiality.

If you have any questions or concerns

You should talk to your midwife or doctor if you have any questions or concerns about:

  • your health care
  • the information you provide
  • your privacy.

You can ask your midwife or doctor for help on how to complain if your concern is about:

  • the hospital
  • the birthing facility
  • someone else involved with your care.

You can also ask to speak to the manager of the hospital.

If you are worried about asking for help

If you find it difficult to talk to your midwife or doctor, try bringing someone with you when you see them or write a list of questions to ask.

Remember, midwives and doctors are specially trained to work with mothers, babies and whānau. They are used to the things that happen during pregnancy and childbirth — even the things that might seem strange or scary. They are also expected to treat you with respect, including respect for your:

  • culture
  • values
  • beliefs
  • customs
  • privacy
  • confidentiality.

If you are still unsure about your care

If you are still unsure about, or unhappy with, your maternity care there are places you can go. 

For midwives

You can visit the New Zealand College of Midwives website, or call 03 377 2731

Find out about the resolutions support that the College of Midwives has in each region. They can help to deal with concerns and questions about midwifery care.

Resolutions support — New Zealand College of Midwives (external link)

For doctors

You can visit the Health and Disability Commissioner's website, or call 0800 112 233

They have an advocacy service that can help you if you are thinking about making a complaint.

Advocacy services — Health and Disability Commissioner (external link)

If you want to make a complaint

You can make a complaint with the Health and Disability Commissioner online, or you can call 0800 112 233.

Make a complaint — Health and Disability Commissioner (external link)

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