Taumarunui is in dire need of at least one more midwife before pregnant women are sent elsewhere for their antenatal and birthing needs. While Taumarunui has previously had two operating midwives until last week, Diane De Esteena has left the profession, and the town, having fallen pregnant herself. The sole remaining independent midwife Jill Arundel has now been forced to take on the entire caseload. However, Ms Baker, along with other hospital management and Health Waikato staff are trying their best to rectify the situation. “We have been advertising in all the major newspapers, on Trade Me, on all the midwifery websites, and are even offering six months free accommodation to the successful applicant, but to no avail thus far,” she said. Taumarunui’s situation is sadly not a unique one, with the Future Workforce Group having identified midwifery as one of the professions in critical shortage, along with rural general practitioners.  Between 154-174 New Zealand midwives leave the profession annually. Read more