New Zealand First is calling on the Government to take immediate action to improve the ailing maternity system and prevent further infant deaths from occurring.

Health spokesperson Barbara Stewart says the latest report from the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee showed an increase in infant deaths for 2010.

“This comes as a result of the government ignoring recommendations to improve the maternity system and prevent the needless loss of infant lives.

“It’s just not good enough that 124 families could have been spared the heartache and devastation of losing a baby in 2010.”

Mrs Stewart says these statistics are only the tip of the iceberg and highlight the real need for immediate changes in our maternity system.

“Of major concern in the report was an increase in the percentage of infant deaths that were deemed ‘potentially avoidable’.

“That does not bode well for the future unless action is taken now,” says Mrs Stewart.