Mid Central DHB
Manawatu District, Palmerston North City, Tararua District, Horowhenua District, Kapiti Coast District (Otaki Ward only)
Licensed institutions
Palmerston North Hospital
| Street Address: | Heretaunga Street, Palmerston North |
| Postal Address: | PO Box 2056, Palmerston North |
| Phone: | (06) 350 8913 |
| Facsimile: | (06) 355 0616 |
Services Provided
The MidCentral DHB purchases both first and second trimester terminations for women who live in their district, from the Capital & Coast DHB. These are provided in the Level J Unit, Wellington Hospital. These terminations are provided on all legal grounds. Some terminations for fetal anomaly are performed in Palmerston North Hospital.
First and second trimester abortion on mental health grounds
Referral
These services are accessed by referral to the social workers, either in the Palmerston North Hospital or to outlying social work services in Horowhenua.
Appointments
Appointments are made through the social work reception Palmerston North Hospital or Horowhenua Hospital.
| Palmerston North Hospital Star Centre Gate 5 or 8 |
|
| Phone: | (06) 350 8322 |
| Facsimile: | (06) 350 8484 |
| Heretaunga Hospital | |
| Phone: | (06) 366 0077 |
| Facsimile: | (06) 366 0042 or send information through the local internal mail system |
Referral is usually made by the GP, Sexual Health or Youth Health Clinic. Self-referral for initial counselling is possible, but if the woman wishes to proceed with termination a GP visit for further tests is necessary.
Referral information
Information required is that requested by the Level J Unit in Wellington. An ultrasound scan should be performed as early as possible to confirm dates and allow an appointment to be prioritised at the Level J Unit Wellington Hospital which provides all procedures.
Counselling
Counselling is provided by the social workers at Palmerston North Hospital and Horowhenua Hospital. The social workers then fax the information to the Level J Unit and arrange an appointment. Pre-decision and post-procedure counselling is also available.
Certification
One certificate is preferred by a local GP certifying consultant prior to referral but both can be provided by doctors in the Level J Unit on the day of the appointment.
The procedure
See Level J Unit, Wellington Hospital. Where possible the Level J Unit provides a one-day service for women from the MidCentral DHB area.
Early medical abortion is available to 63 days but this is a two-day procedure.
Surgical suction curettage under local anaesthetic is provided to 13+ weeks.
Surgical suction curettage under general anaesthetic is provided from 14-15+ weeks.
Second trimester medical abortion is provided from 16 to 19 weeks. This is a two-day procedure.
Follow-up
Follow-up is provided by the referring doctor. Follow-up counselling is provided by the MidCentral DHB social workers where indicated.
Cost
The service is free to eligible women. Costs for women not eligible for public funding - see Level J Unit.
The DHB provides support for transport costs, petrol vouchers, if community card holders.
Second trimester abortion - fetal anomaly
Women wishing abortion because of fetal anomaly are usually assessed in Palmerston North Hospital and termination is provided.
Methods Used
Pregnancies less than 13 weeks a surgical procedure is provided and over 13 weeks gestation a medical induction is used. The process may take several days. Mifegyne® is not used for medical induction in this Unit.
Many women will be referred to Maternal Fetal Medicine at Capital and Coast.
Cost
There is no cost to residents. Non-residents should enquire the cost before proceeding with the treatment.
Counselling
Counselling is provided to all women by Medical Social Workers.
Certification
Certification is provided in the Unit.
DHB responsibilities
All District Health Boards are required to provide termination of pregnancy services "for those women who meet the criteria provided by the Crimes Act 1961 and the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977". See Ministry of Health. However accessing accurate, up-to-date and informative details about how individual District Health Boards provide these services, or whether they provide them, has been extremely difficult. The information provided here is the best that we have been able to obtain for this district to date. We will continue to update the website as we obtain further information.
Last Updated: 3 May 2005