Report figures ‘inaccurate'

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 5

Report figures ‘inaccurate'

Statistics used in the Canterbury Hospital Board obstetrics and gynaecology service development plan were questioned at a public meeting to discuss the plan last evening. The chairman of the Canterbury midwives’ section, Ms Karen Guilliland, said there were several figures in the report that were not accurate.

For example, statistics on the occupancy rate at the Burwood Hospital maternity unit had included the occupancy of labour beds and day beds. These had been compared with statistics of Christchurch Women’s Hospital which did not Include such beds,

she said. The conclusion drawn from the comparison was that women did not want to have their babies at Burwood because of the low occupancy rate, said Ms Guilliland. “This conclusion made the midwives ask what was happening because the Burwood maternity unit is full all the time. “The inaccuracy worries us because there are several conclusions made from figures in this report where the same thing could have happened.” About 50 women, many representing women’s health groups, attended the meeting.