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Child Health

  • When considering child health (0 - 14 years), we tend to look at two age groups, those children aged 0 - 4 years and those aged 5 - 14 years. 
  • Child health services are largely delivered based on developmental ages and stages.
  • Auckland and Waitemata DHBs have developed a joint Child Health Improvement Plan 2012-2017 to provide a framework for activities to improve the health of children and their families. 
  • However, as with all plans there is a need to be flexible and adaptive so there are always new or additional elements which are incorporated. 
  • These generally arise from Ministry of Health directives or from recommendations made by the Auckland DHB Child Health Stakeholder Advisory Group.
  • There are a broad range of factors that influence the health of children (e.g. housing, education and income). 
  • While these are primarily outside the health sector, they have a profound influence on health status. 
  • We will work across sectors in addressing health priorities such as: 
    • rheumatic fever
    • skin sepsis
    • immunisation
    • injury prevention
    • oral health
    • Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI)

Vulnerable Children Act 2014

  • The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 came into effect on 1 July 2014. 
  • This Act impacts frontline staff in health, education, social development, justice and police. 
  • The Act requires providers of services to children, or services to adults with respect to children have a Child Protection Policy in place to provide a framework to identify and manage actual and/or suspected child abuse and neglect. 
  • In addition, these providers will also be required to undertake new screening checks for government and community staff working with children.

More information

Contact

  • Ruth Bijl
    Strategy and Planning Manager
    Women, Youth & Children
    P  (09) 630 9943 ext 27920
    M 021 280 4310