Child Health in New Zealand

Review of the Well Child Framework

Latest news

November 2008: Well Child Newsletter no.5
This fifth newsletter provides you with an update on the outcomes of Well Child/Tamariki Ora review and outlines the next steps for revising and implementing the National Schedule.

View previous newsletters

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In July 2006 the Ministry of Health commenced the Review of the Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework. This reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to child health and the need to ensure that Well Child services effectively meet the needs of children and their families.

Objectives of the review

The objectives of the Review of the Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework are to:

• clarify current child health issues and outcomes in New Zealand
• consider national and international evidence on current child health trends and effective interventions
• evaluate the current Framework against the above, including:
  • whether the Framework is reaching high need children and families/whānau
  • whether there has been any improvement in outcomes
• recommend adjustments to the Well Child Framework to enhance performance within existing funding, including:
  • the appropriate content of Well Child provision
  • the identification of families that have greater need for additional support
• improve linkages to related services, including:
  • Primary Health Organisations and the new primary care environment
  • maternity services
  • inter-agency early intervention work being undertaken by the Ministries of Social Development and Education
• recommend priorities for any additional funding
• plan for implementation of the review recommendations.

Progress of the review – Phase One 2006-2007

In 2006 the Ministry of Health commissioned a review of aspects of recent literature to identify new and emerging health issues for preschool children, and the interventions used to address these issues. During 2006 and early 2007, the Ministry consulted with individuals and organisations with an interest in child health. The feedback from these stakeholders was taken into account, and the Ministry made recommendations to the government for changes to the Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework.

Progress of the review – Phase Two 2008

In 2008-2009, the Ministry will undertake the second phase of the Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework review, which will look at how the quality of Well Child Tamariki Ora services can be improved.

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Page last updated: 23 January 2009