Lay summary
The maternity system is unsafe for Māori. Wāhine, pēpi and whānau experience persistent health inequities that impact wellbeing throughout the maternal-child continuum. Without profound changes, there will continue to be unacceptable, avoidable harm for Māori.
New ways of working are urgently required to meet complex clinical, social and cultural needs and enable integrated, seamless service provision in a timely manner.
This collaborative (Iwi-DHB-research) project will implement care models to address inequities; it will combine team building and safety improvement, and locate timely care in the community.
An integrated Hapū Whānau Hub will be established, bringing specialist and community services to whānau where they are located. This will focus the system to respond to the real needs of hapū whānau with a kaupapa Māori lens. Outcomes include access to timely and appropriate care and support. This study will directly inform health delivery practice and system changes.