Photo: Whānau Āwhina Plunket
Plunket responds to research which finds new mums are being let down by post natal services when it comes to mental health.
Well Child Tamariki Ora, is a free postnatal service administered by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.
Plunket is the main and only nationwide provider. Mothers are transferred to the care of the service when their babies are 6 weeks old for four to eight home visits.
Massey University researchers collected 420 stories about families' experiences with the Well Child service around the country.
One of the co-authors Dr Angelique Reweti, told Nine to Noon yesterday that many mothers reported feeling their mental distress was overlooked by an emphasis the baby's physical health, and that many felt judged by their Plunket nurse.
Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, says the research reflects changes that it is already making to our maternity and early years services.
Zoe Tipa is Plunket's Chief Nurse.
