'Digital doesn't work everywhere'
The chief executive of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) Gabrielle O’Brien says care is needed to avoid digitally excluding those in rural communities.
“We know from our work to support quality maternity services and in raising awareness of gynaecological cancers that this focus is sorely needed and well overdue,” says national president Gill Naylor.
“We are particularly aware of the challenges faced by rural women where a lack of services, unreliable connectivity and distance add further complexity.
Naylor notes that when the announcement was made regarding the health reforms last year, Health Minister Andrew Little said the changes were designed to end postcode lottery healthcare.
“We’re disappointed not to see a rural health strategy included in the legislation alongside the women’s health strategy. Addressing inequity based on where a person lives is vital to ensure better health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
“We now need to see some evidence that rural issues will not be forgotten. Improving health outcomes should never be based on geography or post code – rural communities deserve better,” says Naylor.
