Urgent Debates Declined — Capital and Coast District Health Board—Maternity Services

I have received a letter from Judy Turner seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the death of a newborn baby whose mother was discharged from Wellington Hospital 5 hours after birth. This is a case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility, but I do not think that I would be justified in giving priority to this particular issue over other business in the House today. There are other opportunities to consider the performance of district health boards. The financial review of the Capital and Coast District Health Board is currently before the Health Committee, and there is, of course, the general debate tomorrow. The application is therefore declined.