Editorial: "Turn left at the large flax." How times have changed

Abstract

This year major health reforms have commenced which will change the structure and delivery of health services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. It is unclear at present what these will mean for midwives but there is no doubt that there will be some impact on how midwives work. Communication technology has already changed the way in which we work. I was recently rummaging through some old midwifery notes when I found a yellowed, pencilled map with the inscription: Turn left at the large flax, carry on to the sheep yards on the right, turn left up the gravel road - we are on the 3rd bend on the left, blue house, dogs under control.