Parents want inquiry into contraceptive

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 6

Parents want inquiry into contraceptive

Parents Centres want immediate investigation of the controversial contraceptive injection drug, Depo-Provera. The Federation of New Zealand Parents Centres passed a remit during its twe n t y-fifth anniversary Conference in Christchurch at the week-end urging the Health Department to begin such an investigation. The federation asked for the investigation in view of what it called the “uncertain, long-term effects such a: disturbed menstrual pat- ! tern, and the suppression of lactation.”' “We recommend a full investigation, including reference to overseas research,” said the remit. Nine other remits were passed by the conference. Two dealt with maternity services. One asked for expansion of domiciliary maternity services provided by hospital boards for mothers wishing to be discharged soon after delivery. The other asked that hospital boards encourage rooming in by reducing the use of hospital nurseries. A remit to be presented to the Municipal Association and the Department of Education asked that safer alternatives to concrete be used under childrens’ play equipment in playgrounds. A remit directed at hospital boards and the Departments of Health, Education, and Social Welfare asked for implementation of family centre care in all childrens’ wa r ds and maternity units. The establishment of regional child and family study centres to serve the educational needs of the community and professionals

dealing with children, were also sought.

Two remits dealt with parents as consumers. One asked that the persons representing the consumer on the Maternity Services Committee occupy the position for a maximum of five years. The other asked that parents be directly represented on all boards, institutions, councils, and commissions dealing with children and the family.

A remit directed to the Department of Social Welfare urged an extension of the home-aid scheme for parents of triplets, or three and four pre-schoolers, from the present six months to 12 months. This help would be decreased over the last six months. The federation also passed a remit that parent education be promoted and expanded throughout all levels of the education system.