Māia Health Foundation Enhances Christchurch Women's Hospital with Specialist Maternity Chairs

In a significant boost to maternity care at Christchurch Women's Hospital, Māia Health Foundation purchased 30 specialist maternity chairs in 2021. This acquisition, made possible with the generous support of the community, aimed to provide comfort and support for new mothers and their families during their hospital stay.

Shae Bishop, Charge Midwife Manager of the Obstetrics Ward, expressed her gratitude for these much-needed chairs. "We are so very fortunate to have received funding for the chairs from the Māia Health Foundation," she shared. "Having the additional support from partners and support people makes a huge impact on the care for our Māmā and pēpī."

"Previously if support people were to stay, there was only a chair for them to sleep on," Shae explained. "We had instances where they would bring in their own air bed or they would just sleep on the floor. We can now offer a space for them to sleep so they can support mama during her postnatal stay, especially during those first few days!"

The specialist maternity chairs provide not only a comfortable seating option for support persons but also the flexibility to transform into beds when needed. With the community's unwavering support, Māia Health Foundation continues to make tangible improvements to healthcare facilities, enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families.