Latest news with #SandraMatthews
Scoop
29-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
New Farm Safety Approach Reflects Rural Realities
Consultation on proposed changes to on-farm health and safety rules recognise what rural families have been saying for years – farms are not just workplaces, they are homes and family businesses too. 'The Government's review reflects the real lives of many rural families and the fact the farm is a home where children grow up immersed in the rhythms and responsibilities of farming life,' says Rural Women New Zealand National President Sandra Matthews. Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has consistently argued that health and safety frameworks must be developed in consultation with rural communities to ensure they reflect the realities of life on the farm. 'It is critical that rural voices are at the forefront of farming safety, so we are particularly pleased to see the Government's commitment to consult farmers directly and have industry groups work alongside WorkSafe to develop new codes of practice,' Matthews says. 'Reforms that clearly define the role of children on farm are essential to strike the right balance between common sense, keeping children safe and preserving the valuable learning experiences that come from being involved in farm life. They will also provide confidence to farming parents.' RWNZ also supports continued restrictions on higher-risk tasks without supervision and welcomes the shift toward a more flexible and context-aware regulatory framework, particularly the new model where compliance with Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) can demonstrate that health and safety duties are being met. 'Rural women, who often juggle roles as caregivers, farmers and business operators, have long understood that farms are both a business and a family home,' Matthews says. 'It is impossible to divorce the two and the Government's reforms appropriately recognise this.'
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
HRT Patches Decision Important For Rural Women
Pharmac's decision to fund both Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot hormone replacement (HRT) patches is an important outcome for rural women, says Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ). 'This is a meaningful decision for women, including many in rural areas, concerned about losing access to the menopause treatment that works best for them,' says National President Sandra Matthews. 'Every woman's experience of menopause is different. The initial decision to fund only one brand of patches left many women feeling unsupported and ignored. It is encouraging to see Pharmac listening to public feedback and responding with a more inclusive approach that restores choice to women managing menopause.' It is slightly disappointing, however that due to ongoing supply constraints, Pharmac has not been able to extend dispensing quantities beyond monthly scripts. 'For rural women living far from pharmacies, accessing the patches they need monthly places a frequent burden on their time and travel,' says Matthews. 'We encourage Pharmac to keep working with suppliers to address these issues and improve equity of access for those in more remote parts of the country.'
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Investment In Rural Health Welcome But Need Remains High
Rural Women New Zealand has welcomed the Government's announcement of new and improved urgent and after-hours healthcare for rural communities but says this must be the start of a commitment to improve rural access to health services. Sandra Matthews, National President of Rural Women New Zealand, says the investment recognises some of the current issues faced by rural communities, but a sustained effort is needed to address the challenges rural people face in accessing their healthcare needs. 'Rural communities should not be disadvantaged in our health system. These new services, including on-call clinicians, access to basic diagnostics, and timely access to medicines, are a promising step. We welcome the inclusion of trials that will be developed in partnership with rural providers, who know best how to respond to the needs of rural communities.' 'However, real equity will only be achieved when every rural New Zealander can access quality healthcare, no matter their location,' says Matthews. Rural Women New Zealand has long called for universal access to high-quality primary and urgent care in rural communities. The Government's announcement includes extended after-hours and 24/7 on-call clinical support, as well as improved access to diagnostic services and medicines. The Government claims that this announcement will ensure that 98 percent of New Zealanders will be able to access urgent and after-hours healthcare within an hour's drive from home. 'We welcome this commitment but achieving it will be a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to ensuring the sustainability of our rural health workforce,' says Matthews. 'We continue to hear from rural women about long travel times to access basic healthcare, including effective care for mothers and babies, difficulty getting prescriptions filled after hours, and the stress of accessing diagnosis services. These are fixable problems but require sustained investment and planning.' 'We commend the Government for listening to our rural communities, but more will need to be done to ensure rural people have the same access to healthcare as other New Zealanders. Geographical equity in healthcare coverage must remain the overall goal.'
