Women classed as having a high-needs pregnancy will be eligible for a free GP visit as part of two demonstration projects announced on 19 August 2010 by health minister Tony Ryall in press release. The Canterbury and Wairarapa DHB projects aim to “provide high-needs pregnant women with the option of an extra free consultation with their GP which can also be attended by their midwife or obstetrician,” says Mr Ryall. The three-way meeting is part of a planned suite of initiatives to improve collaboration between midwives and GPs for these women’s overall maternity and primary healthcare. (Find a GP.) If the lead maternity carer cannot attend, they will be informed of any decisions made at the meeting. Women who may benefit for this extra visit are likely to have ongoing medical and/or mental health conditions and/or unhealthy lifestyles that are most appropriately managed by their GP. Services that are likely to be accessed include quit smoking initiatives, Green Prescriptions for exercise and lifestyle improvements, primary mental health services and chronic care management services. The demonstration project is scheduled to run to December 2011 when, after an evaluation, a decision to roll it out nationwide will be made.