Child Health in New Zealand

Newsletter No 4, July 2007

Since the May newsletter the focus for the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Framework review has been the release of a preferred options paper and a background paper for stakeholder feedback, and planning for implementation of the B4 School Check pilot. This newsletter provides an update on progress with the review and the pilot. Reports have also been provided from Bay of Plenty and Otago on initiatives that have been implemented to improve linkages between health, education and social services.

Download this newsletter in PDF format (PDF, 153 KB)

Well Child Review Update

The initial phase of the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Framework review is well under way. This phase has mainly focused on reviewing the content of the framework and proposing options for changes based on evidence and sector input.

As many of you will be aware, the Ministry has sent key stakeholders a preferred options paper, which outlines options for changes to the content of the framework, and a background paper which provides the supporting evidence for the proposed changes.

Sector feedback on the preferred options paper will close on 6 August. You can post, email or fax your submission to:

Kylie van Delden
Child, Youth and Maternity
Population Health Directorate
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
WELLINGTON

Email: well_child@moh.govt.nz
Fax: (04) 496 2493

Following analysis of submissions during August, the Ministry will be making recommendations to the Minister of Health in September on the revised content of the framework.

The second phase of the review will focus on improving the quality of Well Child/Tamariki Ora services to improve child health outcomes and reduce inequalities through enhanced service delivery to families with greater need, and improved co-ordination of services.

Pilot of the B4 School Check

Planning for implementation of the B4 School Check pilot is on track. The Ministry has completed a selection process that has identified Whanganui and Counties Manukau DHBs to deliver the pilot from August to November 2007. Up to 1000 children from throughout the two DHB regions will be involved in the three-month pilot.

A selection process is also under way to choose a provider to gather information on the first three months of the pilot. The evaluation will identify key learnings, including the most effective ways of delivering the services, opportunities to improve linkages and referrals between service providers, availability of workforce, and the best methods to reach children and families. The evaluation will inform and support phased national implementation of the B4 School Check starting in February 2008.

Information Management Support

An analysis of the information management options available to support the B4 School Check was undertaken during April and May. A report was provided to the B4 School Check Information Management Advisory Group in early June. Following analysis of the requirements, the Ministry will make a decision on the preferred option and best path forward for implementation during August.

The options under consideration include:

• a browser-based (intranet) approach
• a paper-based system which is inputted at a central point
• a replica of the National Immunisation Register
• DHB-led systems, such as Kidslink.

Workforce Development

It is likely that a variety of providers will deliver the B4 School Check, including practice nurses, public health nurses, Maori and Pacific providers, Well Child/Tamariki Ora providers, and vision/hearing technicians. It will be important that providers work collaboratively to reach all families.

Professional nursing standards and competencies for nurses involved with the delivery of the B4 School Check have been developed. A training curriculum and programme for the nurses involved in the pilot has also been developed.

Updates from the regions

Bay of Plenty DHB has established a service co-ordinator position for children with disruptive behaviour and/or developmental disorders. The role is expected to improve service access, increase cost effectiveness of services, enable planning and evaluation of services, and assist with co-ordinating allied services to facilitate best practice. The co-ordinator is funded by BOPDHB, Western BOP Primary Health Organisation and Education, which will assist in aligning priorities and achieving collaboration across the primary and secondary health, and education sectors.

Dunedin providers of health, education and social services to children under five and their families meet monthly to share information about what is happening in the region. The meetings also provide an opportunity for informal networking. The meetings are facilitated by the immunisation co-ordinator for the region. They have a ‘roving venue’ with the meetings hosted by various members of the network.

The Ministry of Health is very interested in hearing about local, community Well Child/ Tamariki Ora-related initiatives from your area and invites you to send us information for inclusion in the next newsletter or on our website. Email: well_child@moh.govt.nz